India will aiming for a win when they face New Zealand in the third Test at Nagpur, which begins on Saturday, November 20. The last two Tests have been drawn and while a draw here would be a great result for New Zealand anything but a win will be a disaster for India. >
New Zealand have done really well in the last two games, coming close to a win in the first game and managing to comfortably hold India at bay in the second. Their batsmen have played really well so far. Brendon McCullum was majestic in the second innings of the last game while Jesse Ryder has been fantastic in both the games. Kane Williamson, while being young, has showed a lot of courage and was very good during his century knock in the first Test. >
Indian batting however, has not looked as assured as the New Zealand top order. Sachin Tendulkar seems to be feeling the pressure of approaching his 50th Test century and Rahul Dravid has not fully regained his form. Gautam Gambhir, too, has looked off color, while Suresh Raina and Mahendra Singh Dhoni have not batted responsibly enough. But India have found an unlikely hero with the bat. Harbhajan Singh has been outstanding in both the Test matches and has two centuries to his name. He saved India’s blushes in the first innings along with VVS Laxman and in the last game, gave India a big lead with a hundred.
India, though, would want Harbhajan to deliver with the ball. He has been completely ineffective with the ball in the series so far and has failed to get any purchase off the wickets. Zaheer Khan has been good with the old ball and will be the key tomorrow.
There has been consistent rain in Nagpur over the past few days and it is not yet clear if the game would start according to schedule. If the conditions are overcast tomorrow, it should assist the bowling and a result is highly likely. India will start as favorites but this New Zealand team is full of battlers who have so far refused to back down.