There was a world record for Rahul Dravid and four wickets before tea but a combination of bad light and an obdurate fifth-wicket partnership held up India's victory charge at the Basin Reserve after they had set New Zealand a target of 617. Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh took two wickets apiece and New Zealand's hopes of surviving into the final day rested largely with Ross Taylor, who played some swashbuckling strokes on his way to 69. He added 83 with James Franklin to rebuild the innings, and when played was called off 21 overs early, the draw remained a viable option. Earlier, India had batted till drinks in an extended 150-minute morning session, adding 85 to their overnight score of 349 for 5
It was the third wicket that India took in the session, and as has so often been the case in recent times it was Zaheer who did all the early damage. He bowled 15 overs unchanged either side of lunch, and troubled every batsmen with his pace and angle. Tim McIntosh struggled again, before an edge to third slip shortly before lunch sparked off loud celebrations. It was Dravid's 182nd catch, one better than Mark Waugh, and the ball received a grateful kiss once it had settled into the hands
