Ajinkya Rahane and Virat Kohli registered their career-best Test scores as India eventually declared on 557/5 after tea on day two of the second Test between India and New Zealand. In reply, New Zealand ended the day on 28/0.
The day began with Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane at the crease and India on 267/3 and it took another two sessions and nearly 200 more runs before the partnership between the pair was eventually. By the time it was, Kohli had already registered his career-best Test score and broken an Indian record in the process as well.
Also Read: Stats: Virat Kohli becomes the first Indian captain to score two Test double centuries
By the time, he was gone, he and Rahane had broken the Indian record for the fourth-wicket partnership in Tests and eventually a tired Kohli was dismissed on 211 after a marathon innings. Although Rahane eventually fell 12 short of his maiden double century, the damage was well and truly done and a late Rohit Sharma fifty meant India declared the innings on 557/5.
In reply, New Zealand starting the innings on 5/0 courtesy of Ravindra Jadeja’s penalty for running on the danger area for a second time. When New Zealand came on to bat, they managed to see out the day without any wickets lost.
Virat Kohli is improving as a batsman and leader: Rahane
Ajinkya Rahane admitted that he enjoyed his time in the middle but struggled yesterday. He said: “I enjoyed my time in the middle. I was struggling a bit yesterday, but it was important to hang in there. Virat's message to me was to just hang in there. Communication between both of us was the key, and I really loved it.
“Yesterday they had some plan against me. Yes, I was struggling and there's no shame in admitting that. I'm happy with the way I maintained my composure. Today once I got my hundred, I wanted to dominate, particularly the spinners. After I crossed 150, I wanted to get to 180 quickly and then take my time for the double.
“But that partnership between us was crucial and memorable. It was great to see Virat bat the way he did, learnt a lot of things. He's improving as a batsman and a leader. It was very humid and we were tired after tea. We wanted to play shots, but it was tough.
Also Read: Ravindra Jadeja’s penalty results in New Zealand starting the innings on 5/0
Here are the reactions from the cricket fraternity:
Virat Kohli was at the centre of all the praise. Former England international Alex Tudor:
VVS Laxman:
Robin Uthappa:
Dean Jones:
Aakash Chopra:
Anjum Chopra:
But that didn't mean Ajinkya Rahane’s contribution was forgotten.
VVS Laxman:
Harbhajan Singh:
Tom Moody got his predictions spot on as the pair put on 365 and India piled on a massive total.
Michael Vaughan:
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