Rahul Dravid gives India a chance to win third Test

Nagpur : Rahul Dravid struck a classy 191 as India declared their first innings at 566 for eight and maintained a huge lead of 349 runs at the end of third day’s play in the third and the final cricket Test here Monday.

Dravid hit 21 fours and with captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (98) shared 193 runs that put India in sight of a possible innings win at the Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) Stadium.

Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh picked up opener Tim McIntosh (8) trapped leg before wicket as visitors ended the day at 24 for one and have a huge challenge of saving the match. Brendon McCullum was unbeaten on 15 and Gareth Hopkins was on one.

Dravid who steadied the innings after India lost three wickets for 32 runs early in the morning session. He looked set for a well-deserved sixth double-century but was caught by Martin Guptill as he attempted to loft part-timer Kane Williamson (1-45) over long-on.

Dhoni narrowly missed out on a century, offering a tame return catch to left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori (3-178) after facing 156 balls and hitting 12 fours and a six.

Dravid completed his second century of the series with a flicked two off Vettori and celebrated it by pumping his fists in the air. He made 104 in the drawn first Test in Ahmedabad.

Harbhajan, enjoying rich form with the bat in the series, tried to add some quick runs after the dismissals of Dhoni and Dravid but was caught by McCullum for 20 off paceman Chris Martin an hour before stumps.