India v New Zealand, 3rd Test, Day 2 – 5 Talking Points

Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane struck record-breaking knocks to help India gain a firm position at stumps on day two of the ongoing third test against New Zealand. Kohli and Rahane, who frustrated the Black Caps in the last session on day one, continued to make the opposition toil hard today and put on 365, India’s highest-ever partnership for the fourth wicket. Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja, later on, knitted a quick 53 runs stand before Kohli declared the innings on 557/6. Coming out to bat in response, New Zealand had nine overs left to survive which they did without any damage ending on 28/0.

1.Barrage of Bouncers:

Ajinkya Rahane was subjected to a barrage of bouncers on the second day. In the morning session, New Zealand’s fast bowlers peppered Rahane with the short ball, looking to exploit the uncertain pace and bounce at the Holkar pitch. Rahane did his best to counter it.

He ducked under a few and pulled some deliveries. But, Henry continued employed this trick and managed to hit the side of his helmet, just over his ear while bowling from around the wicket. The bowler and New Zealand’s fielders came to check Rahane but the bouncer barrage did not stop after that incident.

Henry bowled another one very next ball and Rahane top-edged a hook towards fine leg. Williamson carried with his fast bowlers in for some time with a hope of dislodging him. However, the visitors failed as he made his way to an eighth Test ton.

2. 365 runs for the 4^th wicket:

Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane continued to dominate the New Zealanders today. Despite all their hard work, the visitors were not able to break the partnership as Kohli and Rahane went on to add 365 run for the 4th wicket.

It was a day of milestones for India. The 4th wicket stand was the fifth highest for India. Kohli resumed batting on 103 and notched up his second double ton of his career by Tea session. Rahane also endured some serious contest from the New Zealand fast bowlers to complete his century by the Lunch session and then turn it into 150 in the last session before getting dismissed for 188.

3. Frustration grows for the Kiwis

Day one was quite productive for the Black Caps. The contest was even between both the teams for the most part of the day. The Kiwis maintained a strong grip over the proceedings for the first three sessions yesterday before they were pushed to the corner in the last session by Kohli and Rahane.

Despite, been sidelined in the last session, they returned with some optimistic thoughts in their head, hoping to claw back on day two. However, things became tougher for them as Kohli and Rahane continued piling run in abundance and frustrate the opposition.

The pair looked inseparable and made sure that the Kiwis bowled without any success for the first three sessions. The bowlers toiled hard while both played their shots and accumulated runs at brisk pace. Respite finally came in the form of Kohli’s wicket when Jeetan Patel broke through in the first over after tea, trapping the Indian skipper LBW.

4. Double ton for King Kohli:

Kohli put an end to brief dry patch with a flawless double century. Kohli, who had already reached his 13th test ton in the last session on day one, continued batting in the am rhythm and became the first Indian batsman to make two double-hundreds as captain.

He also became the first Indian batsman since Sachin Tendulkar in 2010 to score two double-tons in a year. Kohli was also inching on closer towards breaking MS Dhoni (224 v Australia at Chennai) record for the highest Test score by an India skipper but unfortunately missed it by 13 runs after getting trapped LBW by Jeetan Patel.

 5. Sir Ravindra Jadeja scores run for the opposition

Ravindra Jadeja created a bit of problem for the umpires today during short 27 balls stay at the crease. The left-hander was warned by umpire Bruce Oxenford twice for running over the danger area in the penultimate over. Jadeja’s act earned India a penalty of five runs, which was added to New Zealand’s tally. As a result, New Zealand started the innings at 5/0 before a ball was bowled.

Under section 14 of Law 42 (Fair and unfair play), the umpire has the right to award 5 penalty runs to the fielding side. In accordance with the law, when the batsman is deemed to have caused damage to the pitch, the umpire first informed the other umpire of the occurrence and also the fielding captain and the batsman concerned.