Majestic Gambhir puts India in control
Posted on Apr 05, 2009 at 03:19 | Updated Apr 05, 2009 at 15:23
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Wellington: Gautam Gambhir made 167 and Sachin Tendulkar fell for 9 in what may be his last Test innings in New Zealand as India reached 349 for five at stumps on the third day to strengthen its grip on the third Test.
With Gambhir's guidance and contributions of 60 by Rahul Dravid and 61 from VVS Laxman, India took a 531-run lead over New Zealand with five second-innings wickets intact and two full days remaining.
At stumps, drawn 25 minutes early due to poor light, India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni was 16 not out and Yuvraj Singh was unbeaten on 15.
Gambhir posted his sixth Test century, his second in three innings, and recorded his third-highest Test score after his 206 against Australia and 179 against England.
India dismissed New Zealand on Saturday for 197 in reply to its first innings of 379, and was 51-1, 233 runs ahead, when play began on Sunday.
It steadily built on its already considerable advantage thanks largely to Gambhir, who batted 352 minutes and hit 16 boundaries and two sixes, and with the assistance of Dravid and Laxman.
Gambhir and India kept New Zealand in the field throughout the third day, played in bitterly cold and windy conditions and which left India poised to claim its first Test series win in New Zealand in 41 years.
India won the first Test at Hamilton by 10 wickets, drew the second at Napier and now needs only a draw at the Basin Reserve to clinch a Test series victory in New Zealand for the first time since Indian's first toured here in 1968.
New Zealand's bowling attack gained only a small consolation when it claimed the wickets of Gambhir and Laxman in a shortened third session.
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Posted By virufan
Gambhir is living upto the real meaning of his name-serious.He is under serious contention for the best opening batsman of
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