What fun. India, in the first innings, failed to adapt to 'away' conditions. And New Zealand, in their first innings failed to adapt to 'home' conditions -- actually ending up with their lowest ever score against India, and conceding a lead of 5 runs what is more.

A touch of over-confidence on the part of the home side? They certainly couldn't blame any devils in the pitch -- almost all batsmen contributed to their own downfall.

It's amazing what can happen when 11 players pull together -- this was one of those instances, when everyone did their job, the fielders held all that came their way, one out of two run out chances were converted, no bowler gave anything away... and when that kind of thing happens, the one extraordinary effort becomes even more effective.

For that last, look to Zaheer Khan -- the spell here has been even better than the one in the first Test that got him his first ever five-for. He sacrificed a bit of pace, for accuracy and control -- and barring one aberrant over against Fleming, was relentless.

The interesting bit now is, the pitch has in fact eased off, batting conditions are the best they have been thus far -- and the game, after one innings, is dead even. So if Fleming got the early advantage by winning the toss, the Indian bowlers have not only neutralised it, but handed a huge edge right back to their side, which will now bowl last on this wicket.

200 on the board, and India could well end up with a drawn series where, a day earlier, a 2-0 defeat seemed on the cards.

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