Gautam Gambhir scored a quickfire fifty on his return to Test cricket after two years, and Cheteshwar Pujara also hit a half-century, as India reached 127/2 at lunch on day four of the third match against New Zealand in Indore. India have a lead of 385 runs over the Kiwis.
The 35-year-old Gambhir had retired hurt at the fag end of day three after suffering a shoulder injury, and it looked like he was done for the match. So he surprised many when he walked out to bat at the fall of Murali Vijay's wicket on Tuesday morning.
Gambhir had a few edgy and nervy moments while he settled in, but once he was in his zone, he took the attack to the New Zealand batsmen. He played the spinners with authority, reminding everyone again how good he is against the turning ball.
India had had a very mediocre first hour of play, which included the absolutely unnecessary run-out of Vijay. It was a lax effort from the hosts and it gave the impression that some complacency had crept in because of their huge lead.
However, once Gambhir was in and the first drinks break was taken, it was clear that a message had been sent from the dressing room. Even Pujara, not one to go on attack mode very often, stepped out to Trent Boult and whacked him for four down the ground. Gambhir was dismissed for 50 just 15 minutes before lunch, with the lead over 350 as skipper Virat Kohli walked in. Pujara then reached his fourth half-century of the series in the last over before lunch.
It looks likely that India will declare after taking a lead of around 450 and give themselves a majority of five sessions to bowl New Zealand out again. Considering the highest score New Zealand have managed to score in this series is the 299 in the first innings of this match, India should be looking to wrap this match up by lunch on day five.
