India were struggling at 165/5 after losing Ishant Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma in quick succession.
Trent Boult dismissed Ishant Sharma (26) after his 50 run-stand with Dhawan to give India third blow at the score of 141.
Resuming the day from the overnight score of 100/2, India got off to a cautious start. Ishant added 23 runs to his first day score before giving an easy catch to Watling.
Dhawan then failed to get his second hundred of the series as Tim Southee got rid of him to reduce India to 162/4.
Dhawan edged Southee to Bradley Walting, falling two short of the triple figure. His solid 127-ball knock was studded with 14 boundaries and a six.
Just after Dhawan's dismissal Rohit Sharma was bowled out by James Neesham without getting off the mark.
After bundling out Kiwis for a paltry 192 in the first innings, India were looking to accumulate massive lead.
Earlier, Ishant Sharma exploited the seaming conditions brilliantly to return with a career-best 6/51 as India took early control on the opening day.
Sharma justified captain MS Dhoni's decision to bowl first on a green top as the lanky pacer kept the host batsmen on their toes with his testing line and length.
Rising pacer Mohammed Shami (4/70) also contributed in India's dominating performance show on Day One as he picked up key wickets of Kane Williamson (47) and debutant James Neesham (33) at crucial junctures.
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