Wellington: Riding on Gautam Gambhir's golden run of form, India swept into a near-impregnable position in Wellington and virtually ensured that their 41-year wait for a series win in New Zealand will be over in a day or two.

Gautam Gambhir cracked a fluent 167 (257b, 16x4, 2x6) as India put themselves on course to a historic series triumph by taking a mammoth 531-run lead in the third and final Test against New Zealand on Sunday.

The left-handed Gambhir notched up his sixth Test century, his second successive one in the series, to power the visitors to a commanding 349 for five in their second innings when play was called off a little early because of bad light on the third day.

Rahul Dravid 60 (145b, 10x4) and VVS Laxman 61 (109b, 9x4) were the other notable performers as India took complete control of the match with yet another solid batting display.

Yuvraj Singh (15) and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (16) were at the crease at stumps on Day Three.

With two days left in the game, India are the clear favourites to clinch the series 2-0 and record their first Test series triumph on New Zealand soil in 41 years

Brief Score: India 379 and 349/5 (Gambhir 167, Laxman 61, Dravid 60) lead New Zealand 197 by 531 runs

Rahul Dravid's dismissal issues

• When Brendon McCullum nimbly moved down the leg side to catch Rahul Dravid's attempted paddle-sweep, there was some debate about the legality of the catch, since McCullum moved after the ball was bowled but before Dravid played the stroke. According to the relevant rules, it was a fair catch. Law 40 of the Laws of Cricket states:
• The wicketkeeper shall remain wholly behind the wicket at the striker's end from the moment the ball comes into play until
  (a) a ball delivered by the bowler
  either (i) touches the bat or person of the striker
  or (ii) passes the wicket at the striker's end
  or (b) the striker attempts a run.
• Regarding movement by a wicketkeeper, it states:
  It is unfair if the wicketkeeper standing back makes a significant movement towards the wicket after the ball comes into play and before it reaches the striker.
• McCullum, though, moved sideways, not forward. According to the laws, he was well within his rights to claim the catch.
  

Highlights of the Day

• For the first time in two successive Tests against New Zealand, India have recorded 300 in each innings of a Test - 305 and 476/4 at Napier and 379 & 349/5 at Wellington.
• 71.53 Average recorded by Gautam Gambhir in 10 overseas Test while scoring 1073 runs. He is first Indian left-hander to make 1000 runs in his first Ten Tests. His overseas average is the second best amongst the batsmen with 1000 runs or more, next only to Sir Don Bradman's.
• 170-runs added by Gambhir and Dravid for the second wicket  - India's highest ever stand for any wicket at Basin Reserve, Wellington. The previous highest was 116 between Brijesh Patel and Syed Kirmani for the seventh in Feb'76.