Good things happen to those who wait.
Team India had endured a 41-year wait to secure a series win in New Zealand. And going into the third and final Test in Wellington, the visitors were waiting for a Test win at the venue for an equivalent period.
On this tour the team seemed determined to end that endless wait. A thumping win in the opening Test at Hamilton and a come-from-behind draw in the subsequent Test at Napier meant the advantage was with India going into the third Test.
A whopping 182-run lead in the first innings of the ongoing Test further bolstered the advantage. The opposition was set a daunting target and given early shocks.
Finally, when things seemed to fall in place, with New Zealand wobbling in pursuit of a 617-run target, there was an anti-climax (read bad light) on Day 4. Team India's wait was increased by day.
With New Zealand 167 for four, still 450 runs behind, the umpires offered light to the batsmen which they gladly accepted.
So the outcome of the series -- though an eventuality -- will be known on the final day of the final Test. Till then, India has to keep waiting.
Morning session:
India (second innings): (85 runs, 18.1 overs, two wickets)
India was never expected to declare at their overnight score and they did not disappoint on that count.
The strategy was to bat New Zealand out of the game and even if the lead was 531 going into day four, the Indian think tank had set its eyes on a 600-run target and then knock the home side out in five sessions.
Resuming at 349 for five, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh frustrated the New Zealand bowlers further.
While the former drove Chris Martin to the fence twice in the day's second over, the latter smashed 18 runs -- inclusive of three boundaries and a six -- in Iain O'Brien's third over of the day.
The duo added 78 runs for the sixth wicket in just 15 overs and piled on Kiwi misery.
However, Yuvraj, in a bid to accelerate, had made himself susceptible and his weakness outside the off was exposed yet again when Martin got him edge one to Ross Tyalor at first slip.
Yuvraj made 40 of just 46 balls, a knock that contained six hits to the fence and a huge one over it.
However, more importantly, he frittered away another opportunity to prove himself at the Test level.
Three balls later, Martin dug one short and induced an edge from Harbhajan Singh (0) and Tim Southee fumbled initially but held on finally.
It was Martin's 160th Test wicket and helped him draw level with Danny Morrison as the fourth highest wicket-taker in Tests for New Zealand -- behind Sir Richard Hadlee (431), Daniel Vettori (292) and Chris Cairns (218).
It also bolstered Martin's tally for the series to 14 wickets, the best on either side -- though Harbhajan, with 12 wickets, is yet to bowl in the second innings.
Dhoni went on to complete his half century, his 16th in Test matches and his second against New Zealand -- the first (52) having come in the first innings.
He remained unbeaten on 56 as the impending declaration eventually happened.
New Zealand (second innings): (37 runs, 15 overs, 1 wicket)
It was probably the most difficult period to negotiate -- these 15 overs before lunch.
But Guptill and McIntosh, to their credit, did survive the initial overs and tried their best to ensure the hosts didn't lose a wicket in that crucial period.
The former, in particular, looked in good touch during his unbeaten 29. Besides three boundaries, he also hit a Zaheer delivery over deep backward square leg and got the maximum.
However, considering the fact that Guptill and McIntosh have played just three and five Tests respectively, it was only a matter of time before one of them succumbed to intense pressure applied by the Indian bowlers.
It was McIntosh who beat his partner in this case. The 29-year-old has a Test century (against West Indies) to his credit but struggled during this series. In this innings it had taken him 32 balls to score just four.
And when Zaheer got him edge one to Rahul Dravid at second slip it didn't come across as a surprise. McIntosh, inadvertently became party to a world record though.
It was Dravid's 182nd Test catch, surpassing Australia's Mark Waugh's earlier record (181).
Guptill and Flynn (4 not out) ensured the hosts did not lose another wicket before lunch.
Post-lunch session: (99 runs, 27 overs, three wickets)
Having lost a wicket (Tim McIntosh) early in their second innings, the New Zealand batsmen went into caution mode in the afternoon session.And that proved to be their detriment.
Martin Guptill and Daniel Flynn had added only 17 runs to the total after lunch when the latter fell to a Zaheer delivery that cut back in, took an inside edge and dislodged the bails.
It was the seventh wicket of the match for the Indian spearhead and validated the fact that Zaheer enjoys bowling at the Reserve.
Flynn made 10. New Zealand 54 for two.
In came first innings top scorer Taylor and he survived his dismissal. He edged a Harbhajan delivery to Gautam Gambhir at short leg and was given out by umpire Simon Taufel.
However, Taylor stood his ground and the decision was revoked after inconclusive television evidence.
Taylor and Guptill put on 30 for the third wicket before Harbhajan struck.
The latter, trying to defend an incoming ball was struck on the front pad and the umpire had no hesitation in raising his finger.
Guptill looked good during his composed 49 and was unfortunate to miss out on a maiden Test half-century. His dismissal was a huge blow for the home side as he appeared the only batsman who seemed comfortable on the day.
Jesse Ryder, New Zealand's highest run scorer in this series with 327, failed to add to that tally.
He survived just two deliveries before gifting Dravid another catch. For Harbhajan, it was a double-wicket maiden and New Zealand had been reduced to 84 for four.
Being overtly defensive had cost the home team four wickets and Taylor, having realized that, went on the offensive. The result a flurry of boundaries.
Post-tea session: (31 runs, 14 overs, no wickets)
The final session of the day offered stark contrast.
The visitors, aware of the eventuality, were in high spirits, cheering each other after every delivery bowled.
Harbhajan, in particular, redefined the term 'monkeygate' with his on-field antics. To his credit he managed to avoid any controversy on this occasion.
The hosts, on the other hand, appeared more sedate. Their intention was clear too -- to bat as long as possible without losing more wickets and try and eke out a draw.
So Taylor and Franklin went on to consolidate their partnership, putting on 83 runs and remaining undefeated..
The former reached his fifth Test half century, the first New Zealand batsman to have surpassed that mark in this match.
The 25-year-old has been, along with Ryder, the pivot around which the New Zealand batting has revolved in the series. And after his 151 in Napier and 42 in the first essay here, he again displayed good form and consistency.
Franklin, on the other hand, played the supporting role to perfection, defending well and scoring that odd boundary.
At stumps, Taylor was unbeaten on 69 and Franklin, who has a Test century to his credit, held fort on 26.
