Dravid and Javagal Srinath, with 76, put on a record 144-run eighth-wicket stand as India scored 416 in reply to New Zealand's first innings of 366.

His third Test hundred and his partnership with Srinath has given the tourists a real opportunity to square the series.

But the Kiwis, 1-0 up after two Tests, knocked off 45 of the 50-run deficit without loss before stumps.

Openers Matthew Bell and Matthew Horne batted out 16 overs to remain unbeaten on 18 and 25 respectively.

India started the day on 196-5 and were soon 211-7, and staring at conceding another first innings lead along with the hopes of squaring the series.

But four dropped catches and a missed run out, along with Dravid's wonderful knock, compounded New Zealand's misery.

Scorecard:

New Zealand second innings:
M Bell not out 18
M Horne not out 25
Extras 2
Total (for no wicket, 16 overs) 45

Bowling: Prasad 8-2-19-0, R. Singh 2-0-15-0, Srinath 2-1-4-0, Kumble 4-1-6-0. India first Innings:
N Sidhu c Parore b Cairns 1
A Jadeja c Nash b Doull 12
R Dravid c McMillan b Cairns 190
S Tendulkar lbw b Nash 67
S Ganguly c Fleming b Doull 11
M Azharuddin c Fleming b Cairns 4
N.R. Mongia c Horne b Nash 7 A Kumble c Parore b Doull 0 J Srinath c Twose b Wiseman 76
B Prasad not out 30
R Singh Jr c Fleming b Cairns 0
Extras 18
Total 416

Fall of wickets: 17, 17, 126, 164, 195, 204, 211, 355, 416

To bat: A Kumble, J Srinath, V Prasad, R Singh Jr

Bowling: S Doull 15-6-29-2, C Cairns 10-3-54-2, D Nash 16-6-35-1, D Vettori 13-2-63-0, C McMillan 2-0-13-0

New Zealand first Innings:
M Bell c Mongia b Srinath 0
M Horne b Srinath 63
S Fleming c Dravid b Srinath 0
R Twose c Mongia b Prasad 87
C McMillan c Prasad b Kumble 92
A Parore c sub (V.V.K.Laxman) b Prasad 21
P Wiseman c Ganguly b Singh 13
C Cairns b Singh 2
D Nash not out 18
D Vettori b Srinath 24
S Doull c Kumble b Srinath 6
Extras 40
Total (121.2 overs) 366

Fall of wickets: 0, 0, 95, 255, 278, 311, 314, 315, 356, 366

Bowling: J Srinath 32.2-10-95-5, V Prasad 33-10-61-2, A Kumble 27-07-64-1, R Singh Jr 21-5-74-2, S Ganguly 5-3-25-0, S Tendulkar 3-0-23-0