Third Test: Kohli, Rahane put India in driver's seat vs New Zealand (Roundup)

India continued their domination over New zealand as brilliant batting from skipper Virat Kohli and his deputy Ajinkya Rahane helped the hosts to a mammoth 557/5 on the second day of the third and final Test match at the Holkar Cricket Stadium here on Sunday.

Rohit Sharma (51 not out) and Ravindra Jadeja (17 not out) forged a 53-run partnership before Kohli decided to declare the innings midway through the final session of the day. Sharma bought up his half century off 62 balls, with three fours and two sixes.

At the close of play, New Zealand were on 28/0 and trailed India by 529 runs. Martin Guptill (17 batting) and Tom Latham (6 batting) were at the crease.

Resuming the second day at 267/3, Kohli and Rahane helped India reach 358/3 at lunch.

Kohli continued to bat in the post-lunch session with the same authority, maintaining a high scoring rate and slammed his second double-ton in Tests.

At 199, Kiwi pacer Henry delivered a length ball and Kohli rolled his wrists nicely to work it 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 from the other end. The Mumbai batsman scored his first 150 of his career.

Resuming the post-tea session at 456/3, Kohli and Rahane again paced up their innings as they hit the Kiwi bowlers all around the park before off-spinner Jeetan Patel broke their 365-run partnership by trapping Kohli leg-before for 211.

Kohli's 366-ball innings was laced with 20 boundaries.

Soon after he added 39 runs to the overall score with incoming batsman Rohit Sharma, Rahane too was sent back to the pavilion for a well made 188 runs when he hit out at a widish delivery from pacer Trent Boult only to see New Zealand wicketkeeper Bradley-John Watling pull off a simple catch.

Rahane's 381-ball knock was laced with 18 boundaries and four sixes.

--IANS

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