Super Dravid stomps the Indian yard in glory

New Zealand trail by 349 runs on day three of the final test.

NAGPUR: Rahul Dravid struck a superb 191 to put India in a winning position in the final Test against New Zealand.

He smashed 21 fours in his nearly 10-hour innings and shared 193 runs with captain MS Dhoni to help India declare their first innings on 566 for eight for a huge lead of 373 runs. India had an early breakthrough by having opener Tim McIntosh trapped leg-before for eight. The visitors need 349 runs more with nine wickets in hand to avoid an innings defeat after finishing day three on 24 for one.

The day belonged to Dravid, though, who steadied the innings after India lost three wickets for 32 runs. He looked set for a sixth double-century but was caught by Martin Guptill as he attempted to loft Kane Williamson over long-on. “It would’ve been nice to get those nine runs,” said Dravid. “The real credit goes to our bowlers for bowling out New Zealand for 193 in the first innings.”

Published in The Express Tribune, November 23^rd, 2010.