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Tea India 353 and 147 for 2 (Pujara 41*, Tendulkar 23*) need 114 more runs to beat New Zealand 365 and 248 (Franklin 41, Ashwin 5-69)
Virender Sehwag launched India's chase of 261 © Associated Press
India recovered from the two setbacks they had suffered just before lunch, Cheteshwar Pujara and Sachin Tendulkar guiding them to 147 for 2 before a light drizzle forced the players to take an early tea. The target had been whittled down to 114, as India went into the break as clear favourites to take the series 2-0.
India's chase got off to a blistering start, with Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir creaming 77 in less than 12 overs.They mercilessly hammered a New Zealand seam attack, which bowled far too many hit-me balls to sustain any pressure. However, the momentum swung completely when Jeetan Patel bowled Sehwag to end the opening stand. The next 12 overs yielded 17 runs and a wicket, as New Zealand's bowlers tightened their act considerably. Trent Boult, who had offered Gambhir far too much width early and was punished repeatedly through the covers, found the edge of Gambhir's bat, and suddenly New Zealand were back in the hunt. Gambhir had scored 33 off 38 while in Sehwag's company; once Sehwag departed, he scored one off 20 balls.
Tendulkar and Pujara had early jitters too, as Tendulkar survived a close lbw shout off Boult, and Pujara was uncertain against bouncers more than once, hooking in the air, and edging it just past the wicketkeeper.
However, gradually they settled in, and the New Zealand attack looked less potent. Tendulkar played a few trademark drives through the covers, though his standout shot was a square drive, played off a Southee delivery that was on a good length and just outside off. It was a delivery which deserved respect, but Tendulkar improvised superbly, opening the face of the bat and guiding it through backward point.
New Zealand had one clear chance, though, when Pujara survived a stumping chance on 37, with the total on 137. He wasbeaten by the lack of turn from Jeetan Patel, but Brendon McCullum, standing behind the stumps as Kruger van Wyk hadn't recovered from his bruised arm, couldn't gather cleanly. Pujara survived, and India looked good to knock off the runs on the fourth day itself, before rain intervened.
Earlier in the morning, New Zealand's innings was cut short by a poor umpiring decision by Ian Gould, who ended Patel's spirited innings after he had struck a couple of fours to extend New Zealand's lead beyond 250. Patel fended at a short ball outside off, ball missed bat, but Gould raised the finger after much deliberation. India were relieved, but it was an unfortunate end to a valuable little stand.
Virender Sehwag launched India's chase of 261 © Associated Press
India recovered from the two setbacks they had suffered just before lunch, Cheteshwar Pujara and Sachin Tendulkar guiding them to 147 for 2 before a light drizzle forced the players to take an early tea. The target had been whittled down to 114, as India went into the break as clear favourites to take the series 2-0.
India's chase got off to a blistering start, with Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir creaming 77 in less than 12 overs.They mercilessly hammered a New Zealand seam attack, which bowled far too many hit-me balls to sustain any pressure. However, the momentum swung completely when Jeetan Patel bowled Sehwag to end the opening stand. The next 12 overs yielded 17 runs and a wicket, as New Zealand's bowlers tightened their act considerably. Trent Boult, who had offered Gambhir far too much width early and was punished repeatedly through the covers, found the edge of Gambhir's bat, and suddenly New Zealand were back in the hunt. Gambhir had scored 33 off 38 while in Sehwag's company; once Sehwag departed, he scored one off 20 balls.
Tendulkar and Pujara had early jitters too, as Tendulkar survived a close lbw shout off Boult, and Pujara was uncertain against bouncers more than once, hooking in the air, and edging it just past the wicketkeeper.
However, gradually they settled in, and the New Zealand attack looked less potent. Tendulkar played a few trademark drives through the covers, though his standout shot was a square drive, played off a Southee delivery that was on a good length and just outside off. It was a delivery which deserved respect, but Tendulkar improvised superbly, opening the face of the bat and guiding it through backward point.
New Zealand had one clear chance, though, when Pujara survived a stumping chance on 37, with the total on 137. He wasbeaten by the lack of turn from Jeetan Patel, but Brendon McCullum, standing behind the stumps as Kruger van Wyk hadn't recovered from his bruised arm, couldn't gather cleanly. Pujara survived, and India looked good to knock off the runs on the fourth day itself, before rain intervened.
Earlier in the morning, New Zealand's innings was cut short by a poor umpiring decision by Ian Gould, who ended Patel's spirited innings after he had struck a couple of fours to extend New Zealand's lead beyond 250. Patel fended at a short ball outside off, ball missed bat, but Gould raised the finger after much deliberation. India were relieved, but it was an unfortunate end to a valuable little stand.