Rahul Dravid, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MS-Dhoni-c2028 give India upper hand
India retained their upper hand on the third day of the third and the final Test match against New Zealand at Nagpur. They first extended their lead to 373 on the first innings and then scalped one New
Zealand wicket in the 11 overs that were possible before the close of play.
The Indians resumed the day on 292/2 and looked to take a big lead. They had the ammunition to do with the presence of Sachin Tendulkar and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Rahul-c83321 Dravid at the crease. Tendulkar had already got to his half
century and was gunning for his 50th Test match century.
However, the Kiwis had an early shock for the Indians when they got rid of Tendulkar. Debutant Andy McKay got the ball to rise up discomfortingly off a good length and it took the edge of the bat on the way
to the wicket-keeper. 296/3 soon became 309/4 when the man of the previous series against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/VVS-Laxman-c2772 was bowled by an in-swinging delivery from Chris Martin.
The fall of wickets did stop as Suresh Raina's run of bad form continued as he was taken by the short-leg off a ball from Daniel Vettori that not only turned but also bounced enough to trouble the left-handed
batsman. At this stage, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 were 328/5 and looked like they would find it difficult to get ahead by even 200.
However, at the other end, Dravid held fort like he usually does and found a willing ally in MS Dhoni. Dhoni hasn’t been in the best of touches but today he came out all guns blazing. He first smacked three
boundaries off consecutive deliveries from McKay before settling down nicely. He did not lose his aggression till the very end of the innings.
Dravid coolly rotated the strike around and did not allow the bowlers a whiff of a chance at his end. Dhoni kept finding the boundaries regularly and hit 12 in his innings apart from one six.
It was in the post-tea session that Dhoni looked to cramp up and that severely hampered his stroke-play. For most part of the time that he was on crease in the third session, he found it difficult to bat
and despite having a runner in Suresh Raina, he was consumed by his opposite captain Daniel Vettori. Dhoni missed his century by two runs, getting out for 98.
Dravid also left soon after for 191 and when Harbhajan Singh got out, the Indians declared at 566/8.
New Zealand were dealt a blow before the close when Tim McIntosh was dismissed for eight before the stumps were drawn. A difficult day lies ahead for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754.
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