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Jeetwin
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Direct all your ideas, opinions and worries (okay, maybe not worries!) to @PrakashG_CB on Twitter. We'll feature the best on this LIVE Blog
New Zealand win by 10 wickets
A fantastic result for Kane Williamson & Co. who thoroughly dominated their opposition - the No.1 Test team in the World - across all four days. Tim Southee finishes with a nine-wicket match-haul - his second best returns in Tests. India had to show a lot of defiance to push New Zealand past even the first session, but they were rattled very, very early in the day when Rahane fell to Southee. From there, India's fortunes only dwindled, and though they avoided the innings defeat, they managed to set NZ a target of only nine runs.
That's it from Basin Reserve then. India have a lot of pondering to do - specially with their team combinations - Is the Ashwin-Pant combo the way forward in the second Test or should they go back to the Jadeja-Saha duo? What about Vihari? And a look-in for Shubman Gill after Shaw's unimpressive return to the team in whites? We'll have to wait and watch.
New Zealand have a headache of their own too. Kyle Jamieson has done brilliantly on debut, but Neil Wagner should be available for the Christchurch game. Does he come back in at the cost of the tall pacer, or does Ajaz Patel make way for an all-pace attack?
India all out for 191
That's that then! In the first over with the new ball, Southee has taken out India's final two wickets. New Zealand need to score just nine runs to complete a comprehensive victory - also their 100th in the format.
And Ishant goes!
There's something peculiar about India's batsmen being reluctant to use the DRS. After Ashwin, it is Ishant's turn now to do that as he mulled the idea over with Rishabh for the entirety of the DRS timer and walked away anyway. Colin de Grandhomme got a length ball to move in towards Ishant, who couldn't get bat on ball and ended up getting hit on the front pad. Replays showed it would've been umpire's call.
India lead!
There it is. A move-your-front-foot and flat bat a short ball over cover from Ishant Sharma to take India past New Zealand, and more importantly, avoid the ignominy of an innings defeat, which looked possible after the dire start they made to the day. Small consolation this for the visitors, but they must keep in mind that it could actually be short-lived - a new ball is due for the hosts in a couple of overs.
Dropped!
Rare error from Tim Southee there. He's put down a simple catching opportunity at cover to give Colin de Grandhomme a wicket here. Ishant Sharma drove it on the up and it was headed straight into Southee's hands, but ended up popping out as well to give Ishant a life. India are now just four short of NZ's lead.
#TrueStory
Prelude - Big day for Rahane and India
Are India on the brink of a surrender or a recovery? The answer to this question perhaps rests with Ajinkya Rahane. New Zealand quicks were exceptional throughout Day 3, prising out Indian batsman at times when you'd least expect it. India have toiled and toiled and yet have very little to show for. At 144 for 4, trailing still by 39 runs, they're really on thin ice. Ravichandran Ashwin is spot on when he says India cannot afford to look too far ahead, and need to make short-term goals
New Zealand will start Day 4 with a spring in their step. They have the No.1 Test side on the mat here, and a wicket or two could even help them wrap things up with a day to spare. Their pacers have taken turns to rattle India, and they have given so little away - as evidenced by the Rahane-Vihari stand that's made 31 runs off 118 balls.
What's also crucial heading into Day 4 is the fact that the new ball is due in just 15 more overs and Kane Williamson is expected to pounce on it the moment it is available, making life difficult for the Indian batsmen. The least they need to do is ensure the ongoing stand - between Rahane and Vihari - is still around when the brand new ball is taken to give themselves and India a best shot of putting up a fight.
A decisive day coming up!
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