STUMPS - DAY 3

India 87-1 (25 ovs) vs NZ 503 & 105 [Target: 407]

- Scorecard

A topsy-turvy day of cricket for both teams but the match still looks in balance after the third day. A total of 264 runs were scored in the day with as many as 17 wickets falling.

India can take heart from their splendid fightback after being bowled out for 202 in the morning session. Their bowlers led the charge by bowling out the Kiwis for 105 in their second innings with Shami and Ishant taking three wickets apiece.

Set a massive 407 for victory, India lost Murali Vijay (13) early but Dhawan (49*) and Pujara (22*) steadied the innings with a 51-run stand.

Many are wondering whether New Zealand made the right decision of not enforcing the follow-on despite having a huge lead of 301 runs.

STUMPS - DAY 3

India 87-1 (25 ovs) vs NZ 503 & 105 [Target: 407]

- Scorecard

Sodhi bowls a rank long hop as Pujara goes back and pulls it high and handsome over midwicket for the first six of the innings. He then turns the fifth ball on the leg side to midwicket for a single before Dhawan looks to flick and nearly ends up being caught by Williamson at leg gully.

After a maiden over from Wagner to Pujara, New Zealand introduce part-timer Kane Williamson in place of Sodhi, who was hit for 12 runs in three overs. Pujara clips the third ball on the leg side for a couple followed by a single to both the batsmen.

Change of ends for Sodhi as he comes on to bowl the last over of the day. Dhawan welcomes him by slapping him down the ground for a boundary to bring up the 50-run stand for the second wicket. He takes a single from the third ball to take his score to 49 before Pujara survives a huge appeal for LBW off the last delivery of the day.

At stumps on Day 3, India reach 87 for one in 25 overs, still needing 320 for victory with two more days to go in this thrilling contest.

Dhawan got back among the runs to hit a fluent 49 from 70 balls, while Pujara looked solid to score 22 from 59 balls with the duo putting on 51 runs for the second wicket.

India 70-1 (22 ovs) vs NZ 503 & 105 [Target: 407]

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Sodhi drops short as Dhawan pulls it through midwicket for three runs before Pujara takes a single on the off-side and Dhawan takes a single from the last ball to retain strike as India reach 69 for one in 20 overs.

Wagner surprises Dhawan with a quick bouncer directed at his body which the left-hander fends awkwardly on the leg side but it falls safely.

India 59-1 (18 ovs) vs NZ 503 & 105 [Target: 407]

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Anderson beats Pujara with one that slants across the left-hander before he sensibly decides to let the next two balls go through. He punches the last ball down the ground back past the bowler for his first boundary.

India are 59 for one in 17 overs as New Zealand introduce spin in the form of Ish Sodhi, who comes on from the Northern End. Pujara plays out the leg-spinner's first over, defending solidly as India continue to build.

India 52-1 (14 ovs) vs NZ 503 & 105 [Target: 407]

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Pujara flicks Boult square on the leg side for two runs and then cuts a short wide delivery but has not timed it well and gets three runs in the process.

New Zealand make the first change with Neil Wagner coming in for Southee, who took one for 18 in five overs. The left-arm pacer starts with a maiden as Pujara watchfully plays out the over.

Another left-armer into the attack now as Corey Anderson takes over from Boult, who bowled six overs for 28 runs. Dhawan tucks the first ball on the leg side for one before Pujara again defends with utmost caution.

Dhawan is struck on the helmet by a quick bouncer from Wagner as he took his eyes off it. But he is quick to rock back and cut the last ball behind point for a boundary to take India past the 50-run mark.

India 41-1 (10 ovs) vs NZ 503 & 105 [Target: 407]

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Southee makes the first breakthrough for New Zealand with the wicket of Vijay, who tries to play the flick but is caught on the leg side. He made 13 from 20 balls putting on 36 runs for the opening wicket with Dhawan. Replays using snicko show that the impact was perhaps by the ball hitting the pads and not the bat as Vijay walked back in disbelief.

Dhawan flicks a full delivery from Boult through midwicket for three runs. before new batsman Cheteshwar Pujara defends the rest of the over.

India have a close shave as Pujara and Dhawan have a huge misunderstanding but Williamson misses the direct hit with the former well out of his crease.

Pujara gets off the mark with a single on the leg side as India reach 41 for one in 10 overs, needing 366 more runs for victory.

India 35-0 (7 ovs) vs NZ 503 & 105 [Target: 407]

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Dhawan looking a bit more assured after a shaky start in the first few overs. He confidently strides forward before driving a full delivery from Southee through the covers for his second four and then takes two from the last ball to take his score to 20.

Boult oversteps as Vijay steers the no-ball past point for a couple before Dhawan takes a single from the third ball as India race to 35 for no loss from seven overs. 

India 24-0 (5 ovs) vs NZ 503 & 105 [Target: 407]

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Dhawan is trying to be a bit positive and hit his way out of trouble. He drives the second ball from Boult through the covers for a couple before he inside edges the next trying to play the drive again. Vijay then turns the fourth ball fine on the leg side for his first boundary of the innings.

Dhawan trying to play with a straight bat and confidently defends against Southee before taking two from the last ball with a flick to deep square leg.

Vijay makes Boult pay again as he flicks the ball on his pads fine on the leg side for a boundary. A single each for the two batsmen as India reach 24 for no loss after five overs.

India 9-0 (2 ovs) vs NZ 503 & 105 [Target: 407]

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Murali Vijay gets India off the mark immediately with a single from the first delivery to the fine leg region. Dhawan also gets off the mark with a single on the off-side.

Dhawan flicks Southee's first ball to the leg side for a couple before he whips the next one and it goes all the way for a boundary. Dhawan (7) gets a lifeline as McCullum puts down a sharp chance at covers after the left-hander had played an uppish drive. He then tries to drive a wide delivery but is beaten yet again and is lucky not to have edged it.

NZ 105 all out (41.2 ovs) & 503 vs India 202 | Scorecard

An excellent bowling performance by the Indian bowlers to bring their team back into the contest but it will not be easy to chase 407 on a pitch which is still offering a lot of help to the seamers.

Shami was splendid with the new ball as he claimed three for 37, while Ishant took three for 28 and Zaheer bagged two for 27 and Jadeja got one for 10.

Already 16 wickets have fallen on the third day and we still have 30 overs to be bowled in the post tea session.

India will be looking to bat for time and try to reach stumps with minimum damage. The top order will be looking to get the team off to a good start and make up for their poor showing in the first innings.

NZ 105 all out (41.2 ovs) & 503 vs India 202 | Scorecard

Jadeja comes back after just one over from Rohit. Wagner comes down the track but gets an inside edge which Dhoni misses and also cannot complete a regulation stump. Boult then gives Jadeja the charge but he is also beaten and Dhoni misses another sharp stumping chance. The right-hander rubs more salts into Jadeja's wounds as he reverse sweeps the last ball for a boundary.

Wagner (14) finally gets one off the middle but it carries as far as Jadeja at deep square leg who runs to his left and judges it well.

New Zealand are bowled out for 105 in 41.2 overs in their second innings to set India a huge 407 victory.

NZ 96-9 (40 ovs) & 503 vs India 202 | Scorecard

Shami bowling with a lot of fire and pace at the Kiwi last pair. Neil Wagner goes for the pull but mishits it over mid-on for a boundary but he is struck on the helmet off the next delivery. Shami peppering Wagner with a few quick bouncers but he is keen to pull it before defending the last ball confidently coming forward.

Trent Boult gets off the mark with a single to thirdman as he steers Ishant past the slips. Wagner then makes room and smashes a short ball through the covers for a boundary to get some useful runs for the Kiwis. He looks to pull the fifth ball but it goes off the outside edge to the off-side for one.

Surprising tactics from Dhoni as he introduces part-timer Rohit Sharma into the attack, to replace Shami.

Wagner taps the first ball to point for one before Boult comes down and turns it on the leg side for another single before his partner does the same. Boult gives Rohit the charge for the last three balls but cannot find the gap.

Wagner throwing his bat at everything as he misses the pull before he chips it on the off-side for one.

New Zealand are 96 for nine in 40 overs as they avoid their lowest total against India which was 94.

NZ 80-9 (36 ovs) & 503 vs India 202 | Scorecard

Ishant Sharma to resume after the tea break and he claims the wicket of Watling off the second delivery of the post tea session, who drags it back on to his stumps to be bowled for 11.

A few deliveries later, Sodhi gets an outside edge and is caught by Rohit at second slip for a duck as NZ lose their ninth wicket.

TEA - DAY 3

NZ 78-7 (35 ovs) & 503 vs India 202 | Scorecard

At tea on Day 3, New Zealand are 78 for seven in 35 overs with an overall lead of 379 runs. Watling is unbeaten on 11 from 70 balls after Southee was dismissed in the final over the session.

It was a superb fightback from the Indian team led by the pacers especially Shami, who claimed three for 33 in 11 overs.

Veteran Zaheer also came to the party with two for 23, while Ishant also bowled a good spell without much luck. Jadeja bowled a few tight overs before getting a wicket at the stroke of tea to cripple New Zealand further.

TEA - DAY 3

NZ 78-7 (35 ovs) & 503 vs India 202 | Scorecard

Shami comes back as India go on the defensive against Southee with a fly slip halfway down the ropes and a leg slip with rest of the fielders spread around.

Southee taps it to point for one before Watling does the same two balls later. Southee then looks to heave it on the leg side but doesn't connect properly and Rahane has a shy at the non-striker's end but misses as Watling scampers back to his crease. He pulls the next ball but it goes on the bounce to deep midwicket for one.

Southee is beaten by Jadeja who gets some turn before the right-hander flat bats the next but it falls short of the fielder at mid-on. Jadeja gets his man as Southee flicks it straight into the hands of Pujara at short midwicket to fall for 14.

Ish Sodhi is beaten by the last two deliveries with Jadeja getting some turn and bounce.

At tea on Day 3, New Zealand are 78 for seven in 35 overs with an overall lead of 379 runs. Watling is unbeaten on 11 from 70 balls after Southee was dismissed in the final over the session.

NZ 75-6 (33 ovs) & 503 vs India 202 | Scorecard

India will look to polish off the New Zealand tail quickly and keep themselves in the contest despite conceding a huge first innings lead.

Dhoni using Jadeja to block one end up while the pacers attack from the other end. The left-arm spinner has given away just five runs in six overs.

Tim Southee guides Zaheer to thirdman for two runs to get off the mark before he looks to pull the next ball but is beaten. Southee edges the fourth ball but again it falls short and goes past the slips for a couple. He tries to heave the next ball on the leg side but gets a leading edge which goes over the off-side for two more runs.

Zaheer switches to round the wicket but the fall delivery is smashed over long-on by Southee for a six.

NZ 63-6 (30 ovs) & 503 vs India 202 | Scorecard

Zaheer comes back and he picks up the key wicket of Taylor as Rahane takes another stunning catch in the gully region.

Taylor walks back for 41 as New Zealand are reduced to 63 for six in the 30th over.

NZ 58-5 (28 ovs) & 503 vs India 202 | Scorecard

Jadeja getting some turn off the rough as Watling is beaten before he takes from the last ball to take his score to five, from 42 balls.

Taylor decides to use his feet against Jadeja but is struck on the pads as the loud appeal for LBW is turned down. He then turns it on the leg side for a single before Watling defends the last three deliveries.

Jadeja has bowled a steady spell so far but has created any problems for the two batsmen.

The pacers continue to thrive as Taylor edges Ishant but he takes the bottom hand off the bat and it goes on the bounce to the slips. The last ball is full and moves away slightly as Taylor gets a thick outside edge for a single.

NZ 53-5 (24 ovs) & 503 vs India 202 | Scorecard

India introduce spin in the form of left-armer Jadeja, who has been electric field today and has played a part in three dismissals already. He makes a tidy start with a maiden over as Taylor is happy to defend.

Watling picks up another single off Ishant and hands the strike back to Taylor, who drives the fourth ball through the covers for three runs. In the pacer's next over, Taylor pulls a short ball but fails to get it off the middle and it goes over the keeper for a boundary.

He repeats the shot off the last ball and gets a top edge which flies over the keeper for a six to bring up NZ's 50, in the 24th over.

NZ 38-5 (20 ovs) & 503 vs India 202 | Scorecard

Shami continues as he comes on to bowl his sixth over on the trot after the lunch break, having bowled four before the interval making it ten in a row.

Taylor looking more assured now as he whips Shami through midwicket for a boundary, his third, to take his score to 23.

Ishant keeping it a bit short allowing the batsmen time to adjust. Watling is content to play out another maiden as NZ reach 38 for five in 20 overs.

NZ 32-5 (17 ovs) & 503 vs India 202 | Scorecard

Zaheer keeping it full and making new batsman BJ Watling play at everything, hoping for the late movement to cause some problem. The right-hander manages to defend the first five deliveries but edges the last ball which falls short of second slip and goes through the fielder for a single.

Shami finds the edge again but it falls short of the waiting slip fielders as he comes up with another maiden over.

Zaheer finally gets a break as he makes way for Ishant after an excellent first spell of one for eight in seven overs.

Ishant has a leg slip place but Taylor still tries to nudge it fine but fails to make contact as India continue to build up the pressure by drying up the runs.

Watling turns Shami on the leg side for a single, the first run after 15 deliveries, before Taylor smashes the last delivery through the covers for a much-needed boundary.

NZ 26-5 (13 ovs) & 503 vs India 202 | Scorecard

A rare loose delivery from India as Shami drifts down the leg side and Taylor helps it fine for a boundary, the first of the New Zealand innings in the 11th over. He looks to play the next ball on the leg side but gets a leading edge which flies past gully for a couple. Shami gets the edge off the last ball as Taylor plays forward but it drops short of the fielder at slips.

But the pacer strikes in his next over, bowling Corey Anderson for two. The left-hander was beaten for pace as he came half forward but got an inside edge which went on to hit his stumps.

New Zealand in big trouble at 25 for five with an overall lead of 326 runs.

NZ 18-4 (10 ovs) & 503 vs India 202 | Scorecard

Taylor takes two runs from the last ball of Zaheer's over, which was left unfinished before the lunch break.

Corey Anderson gets off the mark with a single from Shami's last delivery before he is unable to get a run from Zaheer's next over, trying to play a few aggressive shots.

LUNCH - DAY 3

NZ 15-4 (7.4 ovs) & 503 vs India 202 | Scorecard

A dramatic morning session that saw 10 wickets falls for 87 runs in 29 overs. India made a stunning comeback with the ball led by Shami's double strike as he accounted for both the NZ openers -- Rutherford and Fulton for 0 and five respectively.

Zaheer then claimed the key scalp of Williamson for three, who failed with the bat after a long time having hit six fifties in a row against the Indians starting with the five-match ODI series.

Brendon McCullum, who hit 224 in the first innings, threw his wicket away trying to steal a second run to leave his team in shambles at 15 for four at the lunch break. He would be regretting his decision of not enforcing the follow-on as the Indians have made a stunning comeback with the ball in the second innings.

LUNCH - DAY 3

NZ 15-4 (7.4 ovs) & 503 vs India 202 | Scorecard

Brendon McCullum gets a lifeline as Murali Vijay puts down another simple catch at first slip off Zaheer. He had dropped one in the first innings too and here again it was a regulation outside edge.

But the New Zealand captain perishes three balls later trying to take a risky second run after Taylor had turned it square on the leg side. Jadeja sends a quick throw back as Ishant gathers and breaks the stumps at the bowler's end to run McCullum out for 1.

At lunch on Day 3, New Zealand are tottering on 15 for four for an overall lead of 316 runs.

NZ 11-3 (6 ovs) & 503 vs India 202 | Scorecard

While Zaheer bowls a steady spell, Shami is creating a lot of problems with the new ball. Ross Taylor edges the first ball but it falls short of Virat Kohli at fourth slip. Taylor tries to work the third ball on the leg side but gets an inside edge on to his pads for a single.

Zaheer get the all-important wicket of Williamson, who falls for three courtesy of a sensational catch from Jadeja at short midwicket as he dived full length to his right and took it with one hand.

NZ 9-2 (3 ovs) & 503 vs India 202 | Scorecard

Zaheer Khan to share the new ball ahead of Ishant Sharma, who took six wickets in the first innings. Fulton takes a single from the first ball before the in-form Kane Williamson is beaten by one that moves away.

Shami gets another wicket in his next over as Fulton (5) hits it straight into the hands of Jadeja at short cover as NZ are reduced to nine for two.

NZ 1-1 (1 ov) & 503 vs India 202 | Scorecard

So, New Zealand have refused to enforce the follow-on despite taking a mammoth 301-run lead. They will look to bat a bit positively in the remaining part of the third day and put India in to bat with the match to save on Day 4 and 5.

Mohammed Shami to bowl the first over of the day and he strikes early with the wicket of Hamish Rutherford. Peter Fulton got the Kiwis off the mark with a single from the fifth ball before Rutherford is trapped leg before wicket for a duck.

A full delivery which moved a touch after pitching as Rutherford was beaten trying to defend and was dismissed for a first-ball duck.

India 202 all out (60 ov) vs NZ 503 | Scorecard

Wagner proved to be a bit expensive but kept plugging away at the wickets to finish with four for 64 in 11 overs. Boult and Southee claimed three wickets each with identical figures of three for 38 as India came up with another disappointing showing with the bat, losing six wickets for 72 runs on the third morning.

Except for Rohit Sharma's 72 and Jadeja, who made 30 not out, no other Indian batsmen was able to cross the 30-run mark and they were bundled out in 60 overs.

India 202 all out (60 ov) vs NZ 503 | Scorecard

Wagner gets his third wicket in the form of Zaheer who is caught behind for 14 as India are reduced to 188 for eight.

Can India survive till lunch? Jadeja is batting on 18 and he will need to take majority of the strike and score as many runs as possible.

Southee comes back as New Zealand are happy to give Jadeja the single from the first ball. And Southee strikes with the next delivery as Ishant looks for a big shot down the ground but holes out to Boult at mid-off.

Lastman Mohammed Shami gets off the mark with a single before Jadeja pulls a short ball over midwicket for a boundary to take his score to 23.

Shami does the sensible thing yet, taking a single from the first ball of Wagner's new over. Jadeja is desperate to get a few quick runs as he crashes Wagner over long-off for a six before taking one on the leg side.

Wagner finishes off the innings as Shami (2) is forced to play at one and the resultant edge is snapped up by Fulton in the slips.

Jadeja is left stranded on 30 as India are bowled out for 202 to concede a massive 301-run first innings lead.

India 185-7 (57 ov) vs NZ 503 | Scorecard

Jadeja takes a single from the first delivery of Anderson's new over before Zaheer throws his bat at a wide delivery but misses out. Three slips, gully, two men close in the covers and a short leg in place as New Zealand look to attack India's No. 9. But Zaheer makes room and smashes it through the covers for his second boundary.

Jadeja pulls a short ball from Wagner to deep square leg for a single before Zaheer continues to throw his bat at deliveries outside the off-stump. Former NZ wicketkeeper Ian Smith blames the Indian batsmen for their poor showing in the first innings. He is unhappy with Zaheer's poor tactics of having a go at every ball. "It looks like he wants to win the match before the lunch break. This is not on."

Zaheer not holding back as he lofts Anderson over the cover fielder for a couple before he smashes the next ball powerfully for a boundary.

India 171-7 (54 ov) vs NZ 503 | Scorecard

The first change of the day as Corey Anderson comes in to replace Southee, who bowled an excellent spell first up on Day 3. But he struggles to get going, starting with two wayward deliveries outside the off-stump to Dhoni which are ruled as wides.

Dhoni (4) gets an outside edge but it goes in the gap between the first slip and wicketkeeper BJ Watling, who surprisingly went the other way after misreading the line.

New Zealand make another with Neil Wagner replacing Boult, who also took a wicket in his previous spell. He gets the big wicket of Dhoni in his first over of the day as the India captain is caught behind for 10 to leave his team reeling on 167 for seven. A short delivery first up for Zaheer, who fends it on the off-side but hits the next square on the off-side for a boundary to get off the mark.

India 154-6 (52 ov) vs NZ 503 | Scorecard

Dhoni looks all at sea as he comes down but is beaten by the swing from Boult before leaving the next two balls through to the keeper. He retains strike with a single from the last ball on the leg side.

Dhoni then turns Southee on the leg side for one before Jadeja plays a careless shot outside the off-stump. He looks to turns the fourth ball on the leg side but gets a leading edge which falls safely on the off-side for one.

Jadeja gets the first boundary of the morning in the 11th over of the day. Again, he is guilty of playing a loose shot going after a wide delivery only to get it off the outside half of the bat through the point region.

Jadeja is keen to get going as he slaps Boult on the leg side in his next over but gets a couple. He then misses the flick but the ball hits his thigh pads and goes fine for four leg byes.

India 143-6 (47 ov) vs NZ 503 | Scorecard

Two wickets in the space of six deliveries for New Zealand as Boult gets the key wicket of Rohit, who is bowled after a good innings of 72. He also is guilty of playing away from his body without any footwork and the resultant inside edge crashes back on to his stumps.

India in trouble at 138 for six, still trailing New Zealand by 363 runs.

Boult is on fire as he gets his third wicket while Southee is looking quite threatening with the ball from the other end.

Ravindra Jadeja gets off the mark with a couple through the covers before he has to sway out of the way to negotiate with a quick bouncer from Boult.

A good mix from Southee, bowling the short ball in between as Jadeja is forced to defend and leave the bouncers alone.

India 138-5 (45 ov) vs NZ 503 | Scorecard

Rahane gets his first runs of the day as he slaps Boult through the covers for three runs to take his score to 26 before Rohit defends the rest three balls of the over.

Southee makes the first breakthrough of the day as Rahane plays a loose shot. He goes after a wide delivery which moves away only to get an edge and is caught at first slip after scoring 26. Rahane and Rohit steadied the Indian innings after a few early wickets as they put on 87 runs for the fifth wicket.

New batsman Mahendra Singh Dhoni is beaten as Southee bowls a perfect outswinger and the Indian captain is forced to have a poke it but is lucky not to have edged it. The last ball is a bit fuller and again Dhoni is beaten but the appeal is turned down.

India 135-4 (43 ov) vs NZ 503 | Scorecard

Trent Boult to open proceedings on the third day and he makes a tidy start, bowling a maiden over to Rohit, who is happy to play out the over watchfully.

Southee bowls from the other end and he keeps it outside the off-stump and look to moves it away but is easily dealt away by Rahane.

Rohit get the first run of the day as he flicks a straight delivery from Boult to deep square leg for a couple and then taps the second ball from Boult to point for one. Rahane is happy to see off the rest of the over.

India 130-4 (39 ov) vs NZ 503 | Scorecard

Rohit Sharma, who is batting on a half-century, will be key to India's hopes on Day 3 of the first Test in Auckland, on Saturday.

The visitors were struggling on 130 for four at stumps on the second day after Brendon McCullum's double century had guided the hosts to a mammoth first innings total of 503.

Rohit was 67 not out when the players were forced from the field due to poor light at Eden Park in Auckland, on Friday with Ajinkya Rahane on 23 after New Zealand's pace bowlers had ripped the top off their innings by reducing them to 10-3 in the sixth over.

Neil Wagner had bowled Murali Vijay for 26 shortly after the tea break before Rohit and Rahane consolidated the innings with a 79-run partnership that was adjourned with 17 scheduled overs of play remaining on Friday.

New Zealand's innings was anchored by McCullum's second test double century as the captain shared in productive partnerships with Kane Williamson, who scored 113, Corey Anderson (77) and Ish Sodhi (23).

McCullum's dismissal ended New Zealand's innings and he fell just one run short of his highest test score of 225, also against India in 2010.

His innings was the highest by a New Zealander at Eden Park and fourth highest overall. England's Wally Hammond holds the record of 336 not out in 1933.

India paceman Ishant Sharma, who had been under pressure after poor form in the one-day series, was the pick of the visitors' bowlers with 6-134.