IND v NZ, 3rd Test Day 2 Review: Kiwis on the backfoot

As they did for the most part of Day 1 of the third IND v NZ Test, Virat Kohli, and Ajinkya Rahane piled on the runs for the Indians as the latter finally went past what became his eighth century in Test cricket and one of the few he has to his name in India. Virat Kohli inched ever so close to what would have become one of his few 150 plus scores. However, in spite of all of this, the bigger picture saw India piling on the runs as the 400-run mark beckoned in the horizon.

However, in spite of all of this, the bigger picture saw India piling on the runs as the 400-run mark beckoned in the horizon. The day began with Trent Boult charging in a bid to dismiss both these world-class Indian batsmen. However, with Kohli and Rahane being at their most dangerous elements, it seemed quite clear that it would take a near act of God to remove any of these two batsmen. The first drinks break came and went. Yet their concentration was intact and there for all to see.

It was after surviving the first few minutes that Kohli took the cue to accelerate a bit. Of course, he managed to keep his wicket despite a close shave from an arm-ball from Jeetan Patel. Yet, Kohli’s decision to take calculated risks in tandem was something that saw the writing on the wall as far as Kane Williamson and his New Zealand warriors were concerned.

As Rahane inched closer to his century, Mrs. Rahane seated in the VIP box began to look anxious. Of course, it was some splendid work from the cameraman to pick her out from the massive Sunday crowd that had made their way out to watch two of India’s best batsmen play. However, the expression on Rahane’s face was cool as a cucumber.

Also read – Twitter Reaction: Ajinkya Rahane reaches eighth Test century

He did know that he was batting on 99. He was also aware of Matt Henry and the field Williamson had placed for him, and the men at catching positions looking to deny him a well-deserved ton. However, despite this, the Indian vice-captain tucked the ball towards fine leg after Matt Henry strayed his line on the pads of the Indian vice-captain.

After reaching the 100-run mark, both batsmen began to cut loose. While class prevailed in most of the shots, it was clear that Kohli’s men wanted to reach the 400-run mark as soon as possible. There were a few miscued hits as well, as the duo inched closer to their first-innings target score. Virat Kohli broke for Lunch one run shy of a well-deserved 150.

The post-lunch session, however, was one of turmoil for New Zealand yet again as Kohli and Rahane turned on the heat once more. This was quite effectively the fourth session they were batting in the match.

A significant milestone was passed when Virat Kohli brought up his second double century in Test cricket with an impressive knock to the fence. He became the only Indian Test skipper to net two double centuries to his name while he went about his way of trying to break MS Dhoni’s record of the highest individual score by a captain in Test cricket.

However, the record would have to wait for another day as he was dismissed soon after the Tea interval. Virat’s 211 put him barely a few runs behind MS Dhoni whose 224 in Chennai remains to be the top score by a captain.

Ajinkya Rahane, however, began to bat with Rohit Sharma. While Rahane continued his way of batting, Rohit was also plundering runs at will. The latter eventually fell for 188 and just then Rohit began to smash the ball to different parts of the ground as he went ahead by smashing 51 important runs.

Virat Kohli finally brought the innings to a halt with the Indians at 5/557. The New Zealand openers Martin Guptill and Tom Latham negotiated the 9 overs without much trouble as Kohli tried all his four bowlers. They added 28 by the end of the day two, more importantly without losing a wicket.

Brief Scores:

India, 1st innings: 557/5 (V Kohli 211; T Boult 2/113)

New Zealand, 1st innings: 28/0 (M Guptill 17*)