India opener Gautam Gambhir has praised batting partner Virender Sehwag for his dominant 74 against New Zealand on Sunday.
The third Test has swung firmly in the hosts' favour at Nagpur after the pair's 113-run stand for the first wicket to help India to a 99-run lead at stumps on day two.
"It is always easy when Sehwag is batting at the other end because he is an impact player," Gambhir said.
"He is special in all three forms of the game and sets up a match with his run-rate. If we are 300 runs ahead, we can put pressure on them and finish the game off."
Gambhir was confident another 200 runs should see off the threat of an unlikely come-from-behind win by the tourists.
"There is some turn for the spinners. But it is still a slow wicket. If we get a lead of around 300, we have the spinners to finish things off," Gambhir said.
As for his own form, the 29-year-old was disappointed he could not pass triple figures but was relieved to get runs, all 78 of them, on the board.
"I always knew it was a matter of spending some time in the middle. Actually, I have not had a continual run in the side. I played one game, then got injured for the next one. I needed to have a good run. Things are looking better now," he said.
"However, I am disappointed that I missed an opportunity to get a hundred. As an opener, once you are set you have to go on to make a century."
New Zealand fast bowler Tim Southee used his batting talents to hit a quick-fire 38 early in the day, but admitted his effort alone was not enough to help his side into a competitive position.
"I was looking to hang around yesterday but went for my shots today. We are obviously not in a very good position because we have not got runs in the first innings but hope to put up a fight," Southee said.