nd vs NZ, 1st Test, as it happend: India need 320 to win

1105 IST: close on day 3: India 87/1 with Dhawan on 49 and Pujara on 22 Dhawan played an absolutely delightful straight drive off Sodhi to move to 48. Took a couple of steps and met the ball with the absolute middle of the bat. Was the shot of the session so far. Dhawan and Pujara have added 51 together now, which is the largest partnership on day three. They have reduced the target India need to 320, which does not sound as daunting as 407. In all 17 wickets fell today for 274 runs after 329 runs were scored on day one for the loss of just four wickets. Both sides have everything to play for on day four. Thanks for riding along with us today and join us then for what could be the exciting conclusion to this match. 1045 IST: India 69/1 after 20 overs, with Dhawan on 42 and Pujara on 12 Sodhi has been introduced and he is getting turn already. McCullum has two men in catching positions on the legside for Dhawan, who is disdainful of their presence, and clips the legspinner through midwicket for three. Takes him into the 40s for the first time since his Test debut. India have whittled their target down to 338. They are slowly stealing the upper hand from New Zealand, who will not doubt be desperate to get it back. 1035 IST: India 46/1 after 16 overs, with Dhawan on 32 and Pujara on 10 Dhawan brought up India's 50 by cutting Wagner through the vacant point region. The shot would have pleased Dhawan even more than normal because Wagner hit him on the helmet earlier in the over. Pujara also cracks Anderson down the ground for his first boundary. India looking comfortable at this point and whittling away at that target. This game still tilts towards NZ - 407 is a big target - but the emotion surrounding this game is different now. After the panic first two sessions, India have surprising brought some stability to proceedings. 1015 IST: India 46/1 after 12 overs, with Dhawan on 26 and Pujara on 6 Scoring has slowed down since Vijay's exit. Pujara has been watching in making 6 from 19 deliveries, no doubt wanting to make sure he doesn't make the same sort of mistake he made in the first innings. This is also a big knock for Dhawan, who doesn't lack confidence but has lacked Test runs since his debut. India have also seen off Southee and Boult and Wagner and Anderson have just been brought on. 0955 IST: OUT! Southee gets the breakthrough It was down legside and Vijay shapes to play the flick. He perhaps leans over too much and there is a sound as it goes past him. The Kiwis appeal loudly when Watling pouches the ball and the umpire rules in their favour. Vijay looks unhappy. Replays and Snicko are inconclusive. Doesn't matter. Pujara is the new batsmen. India are 36/1 after 8 overs. They need another 371 to win.

1105 IST: close on day 3: India 87/1 with Dhawan on 49 and Pujara on 22 Dhawan played an absolutely delightful straight drive off Sodhi to move to 48. Took a couple of steps and met the ball with the absolute middle of the bat. Was the shot of the session so far. Dhawan and Pujara have added 51 together now, which is the largest partnership on day three. They have reduced the target India need to 320, which does not sound as daunting as 407. In all 17 wickets fell today for 274 runs after 329 runs were scored on day one for the loss of just four wickets. Both sides have everything to play for on day four. Thanks for riding along with us today and join us then for what could be the exciting conclusion to this match. 1045 IST: India 69/1 after 20 overs, with Dhawan on 42 and Pujara on 12 Sodhi has been introduced and he is getting turn already. McCullum has two men in catching positions on the legside for Dhawan, who is disdainful of their presence, and clips the legspinner through midwicket for three. Takes him into the 40s for the first time since his Test debut. India have whittled their target down to 338. They are slowly stealing the upper hand from New Zealand, who will not doubt be desperate to get it back. 1035 IST: India 46/1 after 16 overs, with Dhawan on 32 and Pujara on 10 Dhawan brought up India's 50 by cutting Wagner through the vacant point region. The shot would have pleased Dhawan even more than normal because Wagner hit him on the helmet earlier in the over. Pujara also cracks Anderson down the ground for his first boundary. India looking comfortable at this point and whittling away at that target. This game still tilts towards NZ - 407 is a big target - but the emotion surrounding this game is different now. After the panic first two sessions, India have surprising brought some stability to proceedings. 1015 IST: India 46/1 after 12 overs, with Dhawan on 26 and Pujara on 6 Scoring has slowed down since Vijay's exit. Pujara has been watching in making 6 from 19 deliveries, no doubt wanting to make sure he doesn't make the same sort of mistake he made in the first innings. This is also a big knock for Dhawan, who doesn't lack confidence but has lacked Test runs since his debut. India have also seen off Southee and Boult and Wagner and Anderson have just been brought on. 0955 IST: OUT! Southee gets the breakthrough It was down legside and Vijay shapes to play the flick. He perhaps leans over too much and there is a sound as it goes past him. The Kiwis appeal loudly when Watling pouches the ball and the umpire rules in their favour. Vijay looks unhappy. Replays and Snicko are inconclusive. Doesn't matter. Pujara is the new batsmen. India are 36/1 after 8 overs. They need another 371 to win.

Read more at: http://www.firstpost.com/sports/ind-vs-nz-1st-test-live-rahane-falls-early-on-day-three-1376297.html?utm_source=ref_article

1105 IST: close on day 3: India 87/1 with Dhawan on 49 and Pujara on 22 Dhawan played an absolutely delightful straight drive off Sodhi to move to 48. Took a couple of steps and met the ball with the absolute middle of the bat. Was the shot of the session so far. Dhawan and Pujara have added 51 together now, which is the largest partnership on day three. They have reduced the target India need to 320, which does not sound as daunting as 407. In all 17 wickets fell today for 274 runs after 329 runs were scored on day one for the loss of just four wickets. Both sides have everything to play for on day four. Thanks for riding along with us today and join us then for what could be the exciting conclusion to this match. 1045 IST: India 69/1 after 20 overs, with Dhawan on 42 and Pujara on 12 Sodhi has been introduced and he is getting turn already. McCullum has two men in catching positions on the legside for Dhawan, who is disdainful of their presence, and clips the legspinner through midwicket for three. Takes him into the 40s for the first time since his Test debut. India have whittled their target down to 338. They are slowly stealing the upper hand from New Zealand, who will not doubt be desperate to get it back. 1035 IST: India 46/1 after 16 overs, with Dhawan on 32 and Pujara on 10 Dhawan brought up India's 50 by cutting Wagner through the vacant point region. The shot would have pleased Dhawan even more than normal because Wagner hit him on the helmet earlier in the over. Pujara also cracks Anderson down the ground for his first boundary. India looking comfortable at this point and whittling away at that target. This game still tilts towards NZ - 407 is a big target - but the emotion surrounding this game is different now. After the panic first two sessions, India have surprising brought some stability to proceedings. 1015 IST: India 46/1 after 12 overs, with Dhawan on 26 and Pujara on 6 Scoring has slowed down since Vijay's exit. Pujara has been watching in making 6 from 19 deliveries, no doubt wanting to make sure he doesn't make the same sort of mistake he made in the first innings. This is also a big knock for Dhawan, who doesn't lack confidence but has lacked Test runs since his debut. India have also seen off Southee and Boult and Wagner and Anderson have just been brought on. 0955 IST: OUT! Southee gets the breakthrough It was down legside and Vijay shapes to play the flick. He perhaps leans over too much and there is a sound as it goes past him. The Kiwis appeal loudly when Watling pouches the ball and the umpire rules in their favour. Vijay looks unhappy. Replays and Snicko are inconclusive. Doesn't matter. Pujara is the new batsmen. India are 36/1 after 8 overs. They need another 371 to win.

Read more at: http://www.firstpost.com/sports/ind-vs-nz-1st-test-live-rahane-falls-early-on-day-three-1376297.html?utm_source=ref_article

1105 IST: close on day 3: India 87/1 with Dhawan on 49 and Pujara on 22 Dhawan played an absolutely delightful straight drive off Sodhi to move to 48. Took a couple of steps and met the ball with the absolute middle of the bat. Was the shot of the session so far. Dhawan and Pujara have added 51 together now, which is the largest partnership on day three. They have reduced the target India need to 320, which does not sound as daunting as 407. In all 17 wickets fell today for 274 runs after 329 runs were scored on day one for the loss of just four wickets. Both sides have everything to play for on day four. Thanks for riding along with us today and join us then for what could be the exciting conclusion to this match. 1045 IST: India 69/1 after 20 overs, with Dhawan on 42 and Pujara on 12 Sodhi has been introduced and he is getting turn already. McCullum has two men in catching positions on the legside for Dhawan, who is disdainful of their presence, and clips the legspinner through midwicket for three. Takes him into the 40s for the first time since his Test debut. India have whittled their target down to 338. They are slowly stealing the upper hand from New Zealand, who will not doubt be desperate to get it back. 1035 IST: India 46/1 after 16 overs, with Dhawan on 32 and Pujara on 10 Dhawan brought up India's 50 by cutting Wagner through the vacant point region. The shot would have pleased Dhawan even more than normal because Wagner hit him on the helmet earlier in the over. Pujara also cracks Anderson down the ground for his first boundary. India looking comfortable at this point and whittling away at that target. This game still tilts towards NZ - 407 is a big target - but the emotion surrounding this game is different now. After the panic first two sessions, India have surprising brought some stability to proceedings. 1015 IST: India 46/1 after 12 overs, with Dhawan on 26 and Pujara on 6 Scoring has slowed down since Vijay's exit. Pujara has been watching in making 6 from 19 deliveries, no doubt wanting to make sure he doesn't make the same sort of mistake he made in the first innings. This is also a big knock for Dhawan, who doesn't lack confidence but has lacked Test runs since his debut. India have also seen off Southee and Boult and Wagner and Anderson have just been brought on. 0955 IST: OUT! Southee gets the breakthrough It was down legside and Vijay shapes to play the flick. He perhaps leans over too much and there is a sound as it goes past him. The Kiwis appeal loudly when Watling pouches the ball and the umpire rules in their favour. Vijay looks unhappy. Replays and Snicko are inconclusive. Doesn't matter. Pujara is the new batsmen. India are 36/1 after 8 overs. They need another 371 to win.

Read more at: http://www.firstpost.com/sports/ind-vs-nz-1st-test-live-rahane-falls-early-on-day-three-1376297.html?utm_source=ref_article