New Zealand v India, 3rd Test, Wellington, 5th day Highlights

India 379 (Tendulkar 62, Harbhajan 60, Dhoni 52, Martin 4-98) and 434 for 7 dec (Gambhir 167, Laxman 61, Dravid 60, Dhoni 56*) drew with New Zealand 197 (Zaheer 5-65) and 281 for 8 (Taylor 107, Harbhajan 4-59)

The Wellington weather and a Ross Taylor century defied India as the third Test ended in a draw with New Zealand eight wickets down. Zaheer Khan had bowled just one delivery with the second new ball when the rain forced the players off the field 20 minutes after lunch, and they wouldn’t return. India were left to reflect on three dropped catches, while New Zealand might have argued that they were due a bit of luck after two decisions went against them. The draw might have been an unsatisfactory result, but it still sealed a first Indian series win in New Zealand in 41 years.

They could have won it even before the heavens opened though. Tim Southee was given out caught behind off Harbhajan Singh, though the noise that got all the close-in fielders excited was actually bat hitting pad. Moments later, it was New Zealand that were the beneficiaries of umpiring largesse. Harbhajan turned one sharply and Daniel Vettori was palpably plumb, but Simon Taufel thought otherwise.

Part I

Post-match