New Zealand vs India: MS Dhoni & Co. cannot win the Wellington Test, says Sunil Gavaskar

On a day when Brendon McCullum and Bradley-John Watling tormented India during the latter's mediocre performance on the field to pull the momentum back in New Zealand's favour, former Indian skipper and NDTV expert Sunil Gavaskar said that India had no chance to make a comeback in the second Test and clinch a victory at Wellington on the last day on Tuesday. "India can't win this game and can only play for a draw. New Zealand have a chance to win at Wellington," Gavaskar told NDTV in an exclusive chat. (Day 4 Report | Scorecard | Day 4 highlights | Pics)

Despite the visitors' inability to get regular breakthroughs, Gavaskar refused to blame the Indian bowlers and showered praise on the duo of McCullum (281 not out) and Watling (124). "Won't blame the bowlers. Pitch eased out while (Brendon) McCullum and (BJ) Watling played the innings of their lives," he said. (Martin Crowe wants McCullum to break his record)

Gavaskar went on to laud the Kiwi skipper, who is on the brink of scoring his maiden triple ton. "McCullum's innings was top draw. His waiting game was amazing," the former India captain added. (Records highlight a day dominated by Brendon McCullum)

The 32-year-old McCullum could become New Zealand's first triple centurion, a milestone Martin Crowe missed by just one run in 1991.

It was a tough day for India on the field and nothing seemed like it would work out for skipper MS Dhoni. At one stage, he brought himself on to bowl but in vain. Gavaskar rued the lack of a bowling all-rounder who, he believes, can restore balance in the side. " India don't have a bowling all-rounder at No. 7. The balance in the team is missing," he said.

Day Five begins with the Kiwis ahead by 325 runs and in a position from where conceding the match looks unlikely. For India, it is a humungous mountain to climb to win and hold on to their No. 2 ranking in Tests.