Third Test, Wellington (stumps, day three):
India 379 & 349-5 v New Zealand 197
Match scorecard
 India's Gautam Gambhir has been in terrific form for the past six months
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Opener Gautam Gambhir scored a magnificent 167 to tighten India's stranglehold on New Zealand in the third and final Test in Wellington.
India led the Kiwis by 531 runs at 349-5 when bad light ended play early on day three at the Basin Reserve.
Gambhir and Rahul Dravid ended any hopes of a New Zealand comeback by putting on 170 in a fine stand.
Dravid made a patient 60, Sachin Tendulkar fell for nine and VVS Laxman helped Gambhir pile on more runs.
They added another 106 runs for the fourth wicket as India, already 1-0 up in the series, closed in on their first series win in New Zealand since 1968.
New Zealand have been on the back foot since Saturday, when they were dismissed cheaply for 197 in reply to India's first innings total of 379.
The 27-year-old Gambhir, 28 not out overnight, batted for nearly seven hours for his sixth Test century, hitting 16 fours and two sixes in a near flawless display.
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Once you feel like you belong it becomes much easier and you play your natural game and you enjoy yourself
Gautam Gambhir
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He brought up his hundred by stroking Tim Southee through the covers for a boundary in the second over after lunch and smashed the next ball through the gully for another four.
New Zealand had a grim day in blustery conditions in the field, their only wicket-takers on the day being Daniel Vettori and Leicestershire-bound Iain O'Brien, who each struck twice.
Gambhir has scored 445 runs in the three-match series, at an average of 89, and said that being given security over his position in the side had made him "much more comfortable" at the crease.
"When you're playing for your place in the side it is very tough, you don't play your natural game," he said.
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"Once you feel like you belong it becomes much easier and you play your natural game and you enjoy yourself, which is very important because international cricket is all about pressure.
"If you can enjoy yourself in that pressure then it really helps."
It is not just the New Zealand attack the 27-year-old has taken a liking to.
Since India's home series against Australia last October, he has scored 1,269 runs in eight Tests at an average of 84.6, including a double century, four centuries and four half centuries.
His haul includes a wonderful 206 against Australia in Delhi last October.
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