Indian quicks pushed NZ to wall

India finishes day-3 at 87-1 chasing down a target of 407. India still needs 320 runs with 9 wickets to register a historic win. If they could achieve the target, then this would the highest chase on New Zealand soil by any team in history of test cricket.

With a stiff target ahead, India managed to get a decent start as both the openers were playing the new ball with ease. Vijay was once again found un-lucky as he was caught down the leg-side trying to glace a ball from Southee to fine leg boundary. Another wicket at that stage would have pushed India on to back foot but Pujara and Dhawan ensured that India finishes the day without any further damage.

Earlier, it was a dramatic session at Eden Park as the game turned on its head. Earlier India was bowled out for 202 in their first innings. India started the day at 130-4 and over night batsmen Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane couldn’t last too long. Both of them departed when the score was 138. Now, it was up to Skipper MS Dhoni to take the team to a decent total but Wagner got him with a beautiful away going delivery. Jadeja was playing aggressively but he was not having any support as the lower order surrendered without any fight.

With a lead of 301, everyone expected New Zealand will enforce follow-on but they came into bat trying to take the game away from India with quick runs. But Indian bowlers came out all guns blazing as Shami picked up both the openers to leave NZ at 9-2. Very soon Williamson was also shown the way to the pavilion with some brilliant fielding from Jadeja. Williamson tried to work the ball on to leg side but Jadeja at short-midwicket took a blinder diving to his right. And just at the stroke of lunch, McCullum was run-out looking for second run. NZ went into lunch at 15-4.

Taylor and Anderson started the post-lunch session hoping to get some quick runs but Shami cleaned up Anderson by bowling an in-swinger from round the wicket. Taylor was looking to build the innings and take the NZ lead past 450 but Indian bowlers maintained constant pressure and were picking the wickets at regular intervals. Taylor managed to score 41 useful runs before getting caught at gully by Rahane. After that NZ innings hasn’t lasted too long as the tail was cleaned up cheaply.