Cricket: Legend of Dhoni grows as India keep to winning ways

The legend of Mahendra Singh Dhoni continues to grow in Indian cricket.

He's come back into the team after suffering a back spasm ahead of the second test in Napier and once again India is firing.

Dhoni has not lost a test as skipper and has drawn just one match, the second against England at Mohali late last year.

His list of victories before the Hamilton test included efforts against England, South Africa and Australia.

He's backed up his "lead by example" approach with some stellar glovework in Wellington, snaring his test best six catches - that coincides with the record of six dismissals against New Zealand set by Syed Kirmani in 1976.

Perhaps out of modesty, he claimed no great influence over the team when his fitness was in doubt before the test.

"I don't think I'm the kind of player the team relies on a lot. I don't think my playing or not has a big impact."

History begs to differ as does fast bowler Ishant Sharma after yesterday's performance which has India with a lead of 233 runs and three days to secure 10 more New Zealand wickets.

"It's a great effort from the captain, yet he's normal as a person. He always backs his players regardless of the situation.

"And that's what happened."

The other stand-out for India was Zaheer Khan who took the first four New Zealand wickets.

He finished with five wickets for 65 from 18 overs, his seventh five-wicket bag and fourth best innings performance in tests.

Ross Taylor says Khan was the pick of the bowlers.

"He just had an extra yard of pace on him. Looking up at his speed it was normal [mid-130km/h] but he bent his back and hurried batsmen up. He deserves his five wickets."

There was clear satisfaction too with the mode of dismissal for the fifth of the haul, a caught and bowled steepler at short mid-wicket off Tim Southee.

But Sharma says Khan didn't have a lot to say after his feat.

"He was just being normal.

"Just said you have to adapt to conditions quickly.

"It's a team effort but he did a tremendous job."