Dravid, Dhoni put India in total command

Rahul Dravid struck an unbeaten 166 as India took tea on 510 for five on the third day of final Test against New Zealand on Monday.

Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni was with him on 95 as the pair added 182 runs for the unbroken sixth wicket to give India a lead of 317 runs.

Dravid struck 18 fours in his 31st Test century while Dhoni has hit 12 fours and a six so far.

At lunch, India were 386-5 for a lead of 193 runs with five wickets in hand in reply to New Zealand’s first-innings 193.

Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (35) was the other not out batsman at the break.

Dravid completed his second century of the series with a couple off left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori (2-122) and celebrated it by pumping his fists in the air. He made 104 in the drawn first Test in Ahmedabad.

Dhoni was also in good form as he drove and pulled with ease to collect six boundaries during his 80-minute stay at the wicket.

Resuming at a strong 292-2, India slipped to 328-5 by the 14th over of the morning.

Debutant New Zealand paceman Andy McKay picked a memorable first Test wicket when Tendulkar (61) edged him behind the stumps in the second over of the day. The batting superstar added just four runs to his overnight 57.

He managed eight fours in his 129-ball knock.

The Kiwis struck another blow with the in-form Laxman (12) losing his leg-stump to an inswinger from fast bowler Chris Martin (1-63).

Vettori picked a wicket off his first ball of the day by inducing an inside edge from an off-colour Raina (three).

The series is tied 0-0 after the first two matches ended in draws.