There has been a noticeable resolve in the New Zealand collective since the start of the home international summer.
Yesterday it was as if McCullum and Watling determined this would not be a time for folding while they still had a playable hand.
McCullum, seemingly troubled by a shoulder problem, eschewed some of his more expansive strokes and kept his concentration; Watling was watchful, scurried hard between the wickets and was an admirable foil.
For the third time this summer, McCullum raised his bat for a century, and you sensed he loved the way he got it; a slammed six over long on off Sharma.
However, the bottom line was a determination to firstly push into a fourth day today; secondly have India batting a second time; and by stumps begin thinking of what today holds.
Orange is Watling's colour - from his distinctive batting gloves to bat handle to colours on his bat - and he appeals as a player who thrives in situations of adversity.
This was old-fashioned test batting - the middle session produced just 59 runs. When they came together, you could feel a strong sense of disappointment around the ground. A fine summer would end on a low.
It still might today. But the spirit of the captain and his wicketkeeper has, at the least, set up fascinating prospects today.