It is the final summit in the battle to better oneself. India face the third and final Test in Wellington tomorrow and it will really be a triumph over their own odds, if they do manage to draw or win here in order to capture the series.
It has been a tough series in that it did not start as desired. The first Test saw the strength of the Indian line up but also, witnessed the frailty that New Zealand have come to be associated with in recent months since they lost their few good men.
If people thought the second Test would turn into a bore, here was an eye opener. New Zealand found their swing and the Indians, their fallacy. It was a timely call before India fell into the famous trap of winning the first Test and then, allowing the hosts to slip back into the contest.
To India’s credit, their batsmen, most of them anyway, learnt from their mistakes in the first innings to play true to the pitch in the second to salvage the second Test and lead the team to a respectable draw.
However, this is what it comes down to. Does team India have the hunger and the determination not to settle into a comfort zone, play out for a draw but rather to push the realms of expectations?
The weather has not been easy. The icy winds have added as a useful reminder of what can happen should India give in, but it also gives the hosts some hope as well.
Skipper Daniel Vettori does not have a lot going for him other than watching the odd face or two changing within the line up. Jacob Oram will not be in the picture but recalled Tim Southee may be. James How has no surety, as Mahendra Singh Dhoni does of taking the field.
Daniel Flynn may just miss the match through injury and it is still unclear whether New Zealand would like to take the risk again and employ Jeetan Patel as the second spinner once more and even perhaps drop James Franklin for Southee. The hosts may go for broke considering the fact that they cannot sit on their haunches. They have to make it happen if India are to miss the bus yet again on another series win abroad.
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