Kane Williamson again missed out on a chance to keep his hometown Bay Oval fans happy but another top Ross Taylor effort has given the Blackcaps an outside chance in the third One Day International today against India.

The Blackcaps have made it to 243, batting first after captain Williamson won the toss, but again the top order batting has left them in a precarious position.

Openers Colin Munro and Martin Guptill both fell early, leaving Williamson and Taylor with the job of repairing the innings to set a target which could challenge the rampant Indian side, who have taken a 2-0 lead in the ODI series over the Blackcaps with comfortable wins in Napier and the first match at the Bay Oval on Saturday.

Taylor drives through the covers on his way to 93 out of the Blackcaps total of 243

However the skipper could only make 28 off 48 deliveries before he chipped one to midwicket, where he was caught in a brilliant diving effort by Hardik Pandya.

Tom Latham joined Taylor to put on a partnership of 119, which threatened to set up an imposing total for the home side, but Latham's dismissal for 51 (off 64) sparked a run of wickets, with Henry Nicholls, Mitch Santner and then Taylor going in quick succession.

Tom Latham sets off for a single after pushing to midwicket

Taylor had reached 93 (106) and looked good for his 21^st ODI century, until edging behind to wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthick.

Doug Bracewell and Ish Sodhi both sparkled briefly, adding 15 and 12 respectively to the total.

Trent Boult was the last man to fall, skying a catch on the last ball of the 49^th over, leaving his side disappointed they couldn't bat out their 50 overs.

So India need 244 to win, and on current form will be strong favourites to get there and take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the series.

The Blackcaps will need to make early inroads into the Indians imposing top order batting of Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, and Virat Kohli, to give themselves any chance of keeping themselves in the series.