3rd Test: New Zealand 28/0 after Kohli, Rahane 'Run Riot' helps India pile up 557/5

Indore, Oct 9: New Zealand were 28 without loss at stumps on day 2 and were trailing by 529 runs after India declared innings at 556 for five in the third and final Test match here on Sunday (Oct 9).

Match Scorecard; Ind-NZ series schedule; Day 1 Report

At stumps, New Zealand were 28 for no loss with Martin Guptill (17 batting) and Tom Latham (6 batting) at the crease.

Indian skipper Virat Kohli hammered a listless New Zealand attack with a superlative double hundred as the hosts piled up a mammoth 557 for five on the second day.

Kohli stroked his way to a career-best 211 and was brilliantly supported by Ajinkya Rahane, who also notched up his highest score of 188 as the home team gained a clear upperhand on a pitch that will only get difficult to bat with passage of time.

When Virat Kohli declared half-an-hour before close, Rohit Sharma (51 not out in 63 balls) and Ravindra Jadeja (17 not out) were at the crease after adding a quick-fire 53 runs in 59 balls for the unbroken sixth wicket. Sharma cracked his third successive half-century of the series and struck 2 sixes and three fours.

Kohli-Rahane's record partnership:

Kohli struck 20 hits to the fence while Rahane was equally dominant in his innings that was laced with 4 sixes and 18 boundaries. The duo decimated the New Zealand attack to pile on a huge fourth wicket partnership of 365 - the highest-ever for India for the fourth wicket against all teams.

They even surpassed Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman's 353-run stand for the fourth wicket at Sydney.

Day belonged entirely to Kohli:

The day's proceedings belonged almost entirely to Kohli who surpassed his previous best of 200 against West Indies at North Sound while Rahane eclipsed his previous best of 147 against Australia at MCG.

Kohli breaks another record:

Kohli once again made it to record books and became first Indian skipper to slam two double centuries. His first Test double came against West Indies at Antigua, earlier this year. Kohli's fine innings came to an end as he departed at 211, his highest ever score.

It was the second double century by Kohli in the space of six Tests and three months. These two batsmen's complete domination of the clueless New Zealand bowling attack enabled India to add 98 runs in 30 overs in the second session after they had added 91 runs in the pre-lunch session after resuming at the overnight 267 for 3.

Both batsmen exerted complete sway over the visitors' attack and were hardly beaten before they fell early in the post tea session. They made the visitors chase leather for more than three sessions after joining forces in the post lunch period of play on day one yesterday with the score on 100 for three.

When the partnership was broken by off-spinner Jeetan Patel, who trapped Kohli leg before the wicket as he tried to flick in the first over after tea, the Indian score had advanced to 465 and the stand had consumed nine minutes under eight hours and lasted 673 balls.

Rahane slams first 150+ score:

Rahane went scoring his eight Test century and third at home soil. This was also the 28-year-old batsman's fifth Test ton under Virat Kohli's captaincy.

The Mumbaikar went on hitting his first 150 but fell short of his maiden Test double when after being dismissed for 188.

India 358/3 at Lunch:

Resuming at 358 after lunch, Kohli carried on his batting with the same pace and authority as he did earlier and slammed his second double ton in Tests.

At 199, Kiwi pacer Henry delivered the length ball and Kohli rolled his wrists nicely to work that towards deep square and became the first Indian to score two double tons as captain.

Rahane, on the other hand, was not so fluent, but supported his skipper to make sure he doesn't loose his wicket. He scored his first 150 of his career.

Earlier, Kohli and his deputy Ajinkya Rahane helped India reach 358 for three at lunch.

Kohli struck 15 fours off 272 balls, while Rahane's slammed 11 boundaries and three sixes in his 254-ball inning.

Resuming the day at 267, both batsmen started the proceeding on a good note by playing sensibly. They made 91 runs before lunch to get India cross 300-run mark.

There was a period when pacer Matt Henry tested Rahane with short balls, but the Mumbai batsman showed his class and maintained his calmness to reach his personal milestone.

OneIndia News

(With inputs from agencies)