Daijiworld Media Network

Indore, Oct 10 : Hello and welcome to the third day's play of this third and final Test match between India and New Zealand. Sure most of you would be busy doing the peekaboo-tab-dance on your computer screens. Whoop, Where's the boss? Or perhaps, swiping mobile screens to check if Guptill had started swiping across the line, but lo and behold! I may have to consider taking my words back, and why? Although New Zealand remained wrist-willow-wicket unscathed during the nervous-nine overs of play, one element struck me last evening. Quite startling TBH. Martin Guptill's footwork that is. He seems to have worked on his vulnerable movements across the crease, and looked to play straight. Was in firm control against spin too.

Ah! Feels so soothing to recollect such positive elements early in the day. New Zealand will hope to have more of those. The soothing effects I mean. They, however, have to bat out their skins to enhance any chances of saving/winning this Test. Wait! Did I just mention winning? Yep, I did so bearing in mind they have to bat last. Nah, the pitch ain't a minefield, nor a ball-turning-square battlefield either. All you need is: The class of Kohli and the composure of Rahane. Willingness to take a few risks too. A few. But, but... I'm afraid, the track is gonna wear and tear as the day progresses. What can the Kiwis do at best? Maybe they need to swap their wrists with Kane Williamson. That's one way of dealing it. Ninety overs of Test match cricket calling...you better don't miss out on Jaddu's ninety-second sets.

'Jadeja was trying to get some sort of advantage by running on the pitch (tongue-in-cheek). One end is lot more roughed up, spinners will be trying to hit those areas. There is not that much bite at the moment. Its still a good pitch to bat on, if they can apply themselves like Virat Kohli did or even Rahane for that matter, New Zealand can get through,' warbles Sunny Gavaskar, the pitch doctor, with Simon Doull doing the head-nodding job.

And hey! Are you aware of records that rumbled on day 2? Were you driving when Kohli got his double ton? Want to know what Rahane reckons about day3? Eager to find out Harsha Bhogle's pick on India's best ever Test match? We have it all stored for you, right beneath. Why don't you have a quick gander while I wander off to refill some cardamom tea.