$ 0 0 As the full moon night gave birth to a sparkling day, a gnawing sensation might have risen in captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni's gut: India were within touching distance of a precious away victory but their party could well be spoiled by a ferocious sun. Indeed, as it breathed fire for the third straight day, the Basin Reserve pitch slowly but surely changed, both its colour and nature: it not only acquired a well-roasted look by midday on Day 3 but also made the transition from a venomous bowling strip to an amicable batting track, at least for those who were willing to combat. Brendon McCullum, if nothing else, is a feared combatant: he dug his heels in, and despite the distraction of dropped catches, a half-chance and a runout possibility, batted and battled for a little over two tough sessions. He was unconquered at stumps with a valiant 114 (237b, 14x4, 1x6), helping his team scamper towards life at 252 for five. All through the day and the 158-run fight, he had a defiant BJ Watling for company. The stocky wicketkeeper remained unbeaten on 52 (208b, 4x4) to give New Zealand a sliver of hope going into the fourth day: at the moment, they are six runs ahead and every partnership is going to be critical. If they can somehow conjure a target of 200, or at least 150, India will feel the heat of a panic attack; but then, if they lose early wickets to the still-new ball, their summer will end on a sour note. The contest would have been over at that stage itself, even though Tom Latham was batting quite assuredly at the other end. Sadly for the debutant, he poked at a widish ball on the stroke of lunch and perished. India had struck before the pitch began changing its basic trait; they got a wicket just after the break too as Corey Anderson failed to close his bat in time. India's three pacers were on top; after Zaheer's morning spell, Ishant came into his own after the meal. Jadeja, meanwhile, cut off the run supply. As the pressure mounted, McCullum hit one straight back into Ishant's body who was in no position to take it and say thank you.