Regrouped New Zealand refused to go away, but the broad defensive bat of Rahul Dravid and a counterattack from MS Dhoni created enough distance for India to feel comfortable - a lead of as many as New Zealand managed in their first innings.
New Zealand profited from reverting to bowling swing with the second new ball, taking three wickets for 32 early on the third day, but Dravid was there to crush their hopes with his second century of the series.It wasn't an innings that will be remembered for his stroke play. In fact he was still looking for the optimum touch on his shots, especially his trademark cut that is now tending to go straight to fielders. It was Dravid's other virtue that stood out. He defended swinging deliveries with a straight bat, tiring and frustrating the bowlers, and when they strayed Dravid played. The pull to move to 86, off an attempted bouncer from Andy McKay, stood out.
McKay stood out in New Zealand's attack. Even when India were going comfortably on the second day, he created moments of hostility. In the first over today, he became the second man this season to make Sachin Tendulkar his first Test victim. It was a wicket well earned, with extra bounce and slight away movement, two balls after something similar but wider had taken the edge for four runs.
Chris Martin found the big inswing again, and also a way through VVS Laxman's defence. Suresh Raina, looking edgy against the odd short ball tried at him, played a premeditated forward-defensive to the first ball Daniel Vettori bowled. It wasn't full enough, and resulted in a simple bat-pad catch. Raina now has 26 runs from four innings in this series.
However, New Zealand were not getting an inch from Dravid and had to attack Dhoni, who took advantage of close fields. They weren't the prettiest of shots - the cut over extra cover, the back-foot whip past mid-on - but they were effective: as Dhoni scored 35 off 48, he allowed Dravid to take time - 56 balls in fact - to move from 86 to 100. Dravid's reaction - he held his bat aloft for the last half of the couple he ran to get to 100 - showed he had had to work hard for this one.
