New Zealand paceman Tim Southee finished with a career-best 7-64 as the Black Caps claimed a 12-run first-innings lead over India early on Sunday’s third day of the second test.

Southee grabbed the important wickets of overnight batsmen Virat Kohli and Mahendra Singh Dhoni as India was dismissed for 353 in reply to New Zealand’s 365.

Resuming at the overnight 5-283, India started positively but lost their last five wickets for 70 runs.

Kohli completed a century as he scored 10 runs to move from 93 to 103 while Dhoni went from 46 to 62 before both fell in successive overs from Southee.

Southee, whose previous best was 5-55 on debut against England at Napier in 2008, took four wickets with the second new ball taken early in the morning.