3rd Test: All eyes on Sachin as he inches closer to 50th ton

NAGPUR: Sunday turned out to be another great day for India as everything went according to the script. And by stumps on Day 2 of the third and final Test, the hosts seemed in an impregnable position, scoring 292/2 in reply to New Zealand’s first-innings score of 193.
There were three distinct phases in the day’s play and Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s men showed enough desire to work their way into a position of strength. First Ishant Sharma came up with an inspired spell to mop up the New Zealand tail. Then Virender Sehwag flexed his muscles in the company of Gautam Gambhir to set the tone of the Indian innings as the pair put on 113 runs for the first wicket. After their exit, two of the most experienced and trusted batsmen in the side - Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid - grounded their heels firmly to pile on the agony for New Zealand.
Despite the contrast in their style and approach, Sehwag (74; 73b, 12x4, 1x6) and Gambhir (78; 127b, 12x4) complemented each other splendidly during their century stand. While Sehwag walked out to bat with destruction on mind, Gambhir did well to feed him the strike. And the two ran their singles, seemingly inspired by Usain Bolt, with just one look at each other.
Sehwag, as usual, was both aggressive and adventurous as he took the New Zealand bowling by the scruff of its neck. Not only was there great beauty in his strokeplay, but exhilarating spontaneity too. All it took him to get into the mood was a blow on his finger off a short ball from Chris Martin in his very first over. Both Martin and Tim Southee were guilty of overdoing the short-pitched stuff and were repeatedly dispatched to the fence as Sehwag put on a breathtaking display of post-Diwali fireworks.
He played the pull and flick with as much relish as the upper cut and other agricultural shots. And when Daniel Vettori came on to bowl he greeted him with an effortless six over long-on. However, after toying with the New Zealand bowling, Sehwag brought about his own downfall against Vettori as he tried to play a forcing shot on the off-side and succeeded only in hitting it straight back to the bowler.
Gambhir then switched gears as he opened up to play some exciting strokes. But just when he looked to be cruising towards his hundred, Gambhir flirted with disaster outside his off-stump to a short one from Tim Southee and the resultant edge was well held by Ross Taylor at fourth slip.
Once Rahul Dravid (69; 167b, 8x4) and Sachin Tendulkar (57; 126b, 7x4) got together, they put up a wonderful exhibition of class, composure and, of course, patience. Dravid played with a straight bat and a stout heart. And Tendulkar was just a master at work. They have thus far added 100 runs, enabling India to take a lead of 99 runs. On Monday, all eyes will be on Tendulkar as he sets out to get his third Test ton in as many matches at this venue. The fact that it will be his 50th ton will only add excitement.