India won its first test series in New Zealand in 41 years in a disappointing mood as the bad weather snatched the third and final test out of their jaws. India were 2 wickets short of sealing the third test with a thumping victory when rain interrupted the play. Drizzling before the lunch grew in intensity eventually forcing the umpires to call off play one hour before the scheduled time. New Zealand were 281-8 as they still trailed the mammoth total of 617 runs by 335.

Ross Taylor hit his 4th test century and his second in consecutive test matches with his 107. He built a solid 142-run partnership for the fifth wicket with his overnight partner James Franklin (49) and thus helped his team in saving the humiliating defeat.

Harbhajan Singh made two more damages today to the Kiwi team after yesterday’s two wickets in one over. He took 4 for 59 as he took the credit of reducing the host team to lump. He finished with match figures of 7 for 102. Sachin Tendulkar’s two wickets and Rahul Dravid’s 184th catch were the other highlights from the Indian side for the day.

Daniel Vettori and Iain O’Brien were on crease at 15 and 19 respectively when rain interrupted the play for 29 minutes in the second session. Ishant Sharma dropped O’Brien 10 minutes before the interruption which might have been India’s ticket to victory.

Although the nearly-missed victory dampened the mood, India are jubilated at the achievement. Skipper Dhoni said, "Credit to both the bowlers and the batsmen. We really performed as a team right throughout this tour and that is what's important. We didn't rely on a single batsman. We got contributions throughout the whole series from everyone, Rahul (Dravid), Sachin (Tendulkar), VVS (Laxman). Everyone contributed so overall I think that was a great effort.

India took the driver’s seat in the third test after New Zealand could muster up only 197 in response to India’s total of 379 in the first innings. The tourists declared their second innings at 434-7 with a lead of 617 runs.

India won the first test by 10 wickets and drew the high-scoring second test. Gautam Gambhir was adjudged the Man of the Match for his superb 167 in the second innings.

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3.25 Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."

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