Earlier, superb half centuries by Rahul Dravid (68) and skipper Mohd Azharuddin (52) and a breezy 45 runs by Sachin Tendulkar propelled India to an imposing total.

Dravid and Tendulkar rescued India from a poor start before Azhar, who ran back into form with an innings of 52 off 44 balls, anchored the innings to help them to a brilliant 208 for four in 32 overs.

New Zealand were set a revised target of 212 to compensate for the seven overs India (15-1) played under the 44-over-a-side rules after the start was delayed by 75 minutes because of rain, before another spell of showers further reduced the number of overs to 32.

Dravid (68: 71b, 5x4, 1x6) and tendulkar offset the early loss of Saurav Ganguly (0) and reduction of overs with a stand of 83. Restarting at 15 for one, both Tendulkar and Dravid quickly got into business and went for their shots.

Continuing his fine run in the kiwiland, where he had scored 481 runs in his last four innings (190, 103*, 123*, 38), Dravid played a few flashy shots, the pick of them being an improvised hoik over midwicket against New Zealand captain Dion Nash.

Sachin Tendulkar (45: 42b, 2x4, 2x6) took on Gavin Larsen from the other end, smashing him for a straight six and then for a four over the short leg as India reached 69 for one after 14 with the Mumbai maestro going great guns at 34.

It was clear that tendulkar was intent on giving India a good start to make up for his early dismissals in the first two matches. He smashed Larsen for another six, this time the ball sailing nearly out of the ground.

But a similar attempt off the next ball cost him his wicket as the ball hit the pad and went to wicketkeeper adam parore who removed the bails in a flash.

Dravid took over in style from the other end and with Azhar also coming up with fine shots, both added 54 runs for the third wicket.

Dravid smashed a classic six over covers against Drum and then raised his half century off 56 balls with four fours and a six.Azharuddin, meanwhile, made most of the two lives he received in the deep. He first hit a four over bowler Chris Harris head and then picked up Larsen to the midwicket fence. A huge six over long-on off Harris was the Indian captain's best shot in the match.

Ajay Jadeja (26 off 23 balls) and Robin Singh (10 off five balls) provided the late flourish as the Indian top-order came good for the first time in the current tour to help them to a strong position.

Scoreboard

India: S Ganguly c Drum b Nash 0, S Tendulkar st Parore b Larsen 45, R Dravid c Twose b Larsen 68, M Azharuddin c Larsen b Cairns 52, A Jadeja not out 26, R Singh not out 10. Extras (lb2, w3, nb2): 7. Total (for 4 wkts in 32 overs): 208.

Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-84, 3-138, 4-195.

Bowling: Cairns 7-1-30-1, Nash 6-0-26-1, Drum 6-0-46-0, Larsen 6-0-56-2, Harris 7-0-48-0.

New Zealand: B Young not out 52, M Horne c Mongia b Prasad 4, C McMillan c Dravid b Srinath 14, R Twose not out 12. Extras (b4, lb2, w1): 7. Total (for 2 wkts, 12.1 overs) 89

Fall of wickets: 1-11, 2-45.

Bowling: Srinath 4-0-22-1, Prasad 3-0-28-1, Robin Singh 2-0-19-0, Kumble 2.1-0-9-0, Chopra 1-0-5-0.