Indore: Virat Kohli (211) and Ajinkya Rahane (188) dominated the proceedings on Day 2 of the third Test match between India and New Zealand being played at Holkar Cricket Stadium. The duo was involved in an incredible 365-run stand for the fourth wicket, which helped India reach a formidable total of 557/5d in first innings.
New Zealand's 1st innings:
Over 9 | Score 28/0 | (Guptill 17*, Latham 6*)
STUMPS! Good work by the Kiwi openers so far, but India are in a very strong position. Even in the last over of the day, Guptill smashed Ashwin for a six over deep midwicket.
Over 5 | Score 12/0 | (Guptill 8*, Latham 4*)
Tom Latham and Matin Guptill have provided a decent start so far. Spin was introduced in the fifth over of the innings. Latham has played two crucial knocks for his team in the series so far. Guptill, on the other hand, needs to repay the faith of the selectors with a good knock here.
India's 1st innings:
Over 169 | Score 557/5 | (Sharma 51*, Jadeja 17*)
Declared! Rohit got a juicy full-toss by Henry, which he smashed over long-on for a Six, with which he also brought his fifty off just 63 balls. New Zealand will have to bat for another nine overs. Ravindra Jadeja was given a second warning for running over the pitch by the umpire as a result of which five runs will be added to New Zealand's total as a penalty.
Over 160 | Score 510/5 | (Sharma 17*, Jadeja 4*)
Rahane's resilience finally came to an end when he went after a wide delivery and edged one to Watling behind the wicket. Another mind-blowing knock by him. Other cricketers might make headlines, but he is one cricketer who should be hailed for his consistency across formats. Jadeja is the new man in and now these two will be looking to score some quick runs.
AM Rahane c Watling b Boult 188 (381b)
Over 156 | Score 498/4 | (Rahane 185*, Sharma 13*)
After Kohli's dismissal, Rohit and Rahane have kept the scoreboard moving. India might be looking to reach somewhere around 520-530 and then declare. All eyes are now on Rahane and it remains to be seen whether he can slam his maiden Test double ton today.
Over 150 | Score 467/4 | (Rahane 167*, Sharma 1*)
Kiwis got the much-needed breakthrough immediately after tea, when Jeetan Patel trapped Kohli in front of the wicket. Brilliant knock from the skipper! Rohit Sharma is the new man in and the team management would want some quick runs from him.
V Kohli lbw b Patel 211 (366b)
Over 147 | Score 456/3 | (Kohli 207*, Rahane 161*)
TEA: Much needed break for both the teams. India have thoroughly dominated the first two sessions. The partnership has sent the Kiwis on backfoot as Kohli and Rahane have now added unbeaten 356 runs for the fourth-wicket partnership.
Over 142 | Score 446/3 | (Kohli 200*, Rahane 159*)
Another feather in the cap for Kohli! He has now become the first Indian captain to score two Test centuries. What a comeback this has been from him after a quiet show in the series so far. He sets high standards for himself and he would be very proud of this innings. Rahane, on the other hand, is batting brilliantly as well.
Over 134 | Score 427/3 | (Kohli 186*, Rahane 155*)
New Zealand have been wicketless since the beginning of this day and looks unlikely that they would get one before tea. Kohli and Rahane are now toying with the Kiwis bowlers. Kane Williamson and his men are however putting a great show in the field, where they have saved plenty of runs as a result of their athleticism.
Over 128 | Score 401/3 | (Kohli 171*, Rahane 145*)
Kohli and Rahane have completed 300-run stand for the fourth-wicket partnership! While the crowd is loving it, the New Zealand fielders are looking all tired as their skipper too has fallen short of ideas against these two quality batsmen. This could another tiring session for the Kiwis as they are on a leather hunt here.
Over 123 | Score 358/3 | (Kohli 159*, Rahane 132*)
Kohli and Rahane continue to consolidate India's dominance. The Kiwis have now almost given up and are waiting for the Indian batsmen to make a mistake.
Over 117 | Score 358/3 | (Kohli 149*, Rahane 124*)
LUNCH: Superb session for India. They have lost no wickets and the Kiwi bowlers failed to produce any chances for their team as well. The lunch break could be crucial for both the teams as it will give Kane Williamson and his men to make a strategy for the next session while Kohli and Rahane will get a much-needed breather. The partnership is now worth 258 runs.
Over 115 | Score 354/3 | (Kohli 146*, Rahane 123*)
New Zealand continue to search for the fourth breakthrough as both Kohli and Rahane continue the good work. Rahane did look vulnerable against pacers earlier in the day, but now these two are looking all set to play big knocks. They are not taking any risks and it would be a great achievement if both of them can get double hundreds from here onwards. The partnership is now worth 254 runs.
Over 107 | Score 328/3 | (Kohli 131*, Rahane 112*)
Having grown in confidence after reaching his century, Rahane slammed Jeetan Patel for a six straight down the ground in the 107th over. These two are now looking set to convert their centuries into big knocks. The partnership is now worth 228 runs.
Over 102 | Score 309/3 | (Kohli 123*, Rahane 101*)
Ajinkya Rahane reached his eighth Test ton when he took a single off Boult. This will be a very memorable knock for Rahane, who has battled against the barrage of bouncers bowled at him by Kiwi pacers. He would be extremely proud of it, so would be his skipper at the other end.
Over 96 | Score 292/3 | (Kohli 113*, Rahane 94*)
Henry started his 23rd over with another short ball and Rahane confidently pulled it for a boundary. But Henry's third ball was once again a short delivery which hit him right on the helmet as he took his eyes off at the last moment and was looking to duck the ball. The Kiwi players, including the bowler, came up to Rahane to see if he was doing fine. The medical staff also reached in time. Henry's next ball was once again a short ball which Rahane pulled for a couple of runs. This has been an extremely brave innings by Rahane, who has battled pain but is still hanging there.
Over 94 | Score 279/3 | (Kohli 108*, Rahane 86*)
Mitchell Santner started the proceedings for the Kiwis on Day 2 while Matt Henry was given the ball from the other end. Rahane scored the first boundary of the day when he drove Henry through covers for a boundary. Rahane struggled against the short ball on the opening day and it remains to be seen what would be his approach today.
After India lost three wickets for hundred runs, Kohli (103*) and Ajinkya Rahane (79*) added an unbeaten 167-run stand for the fourth-wicket partnership.
Having already lost the series 0-2, New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson made a comeback for the final Test after missing out at the Kolkata Test due to illness.
Kohli won the toss again and decided to bat first.
Gautam Gambhir, who last played a Test for India in 2014, finally made a comeback in the traditional format. The veteran Delhi batsman was looking his sublime form as he slammed two sixes early in the innings.
Murali Vijay was the first batsman to perish as he was brilliantly caught by Tom Latham at short leg. Gambhir's comeback didn't last long as he was trapped in front of the wicket by Trent Boult.
