India vs New Zealand, 3rd Test, Day 3, preview and predictions: India eye to chip early wickets
India vs New Zealand, 3rd Test, Day 3, preview and predictions: India eye to chip early wickets
Virat Kohli’s team will like to whitewash the Test series before heading into ODIs © AFP[/caption] The Day 2 of the third and the final Test between India and New Zealand ended in India's way as they posted massive total on the board riding on Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane's splendid outing. New Zealand bowlers were at sixes and sevens due to their sensible approach out in the middle. They were running out of options and didn't have any clue whatsoever, such was the partnership between India's tow elegant batsman. Kohli's batting was classy exhibition of determination and flawless technique while Rahane was pure class. They didn't let the New Zealand bowlers settle and confronted them with unmatched confidence. India declared their innings at 557 for the loss of five wickets in the third session of Day 2. Live cricket scorecard: India vs New Zealand, 3rd Test Indian top-order collapsed on Day and were precariously placed at 100/3 when Rahane and Kohli took charge. Murali Vijay walked back to the pavilion cheaply while Gautam Gambhir exhibited some real class before being trapped leg before by Trent Boult. Cheteshwar Pujara got a good start but failed to convert it into a big score as Mitchell Santner got the better of him. Pujara got stuck in between as his footwork was not up to the mark and the ball crashed into his off stump. India resumed batting on Day with their overnight score of 267 for the loss of three wickets with Kohli and Rahane alive at the crease. The duo did extremely well to play out the first session and get their eyes in. Kohli played his rash shots and continued to pile massive runs on the board while Rahane took some time after which he started playing his strokes. Kohli scripted history as he made the most of his good form and smashed another double ton in Test cricket after smashing the first one against West Indies in the recently concluded series. Also read: Virat Kohli capable of leading ODI team well: Harbhajan Singh Rahane played well and deserved a double century but was unfortunate not to have achieved so. Rohit Sharma also chipped in with some valuable runs lower down the order and helped India post a massive total. In fact, this is also the highest innings total of the series so far. India are now in a commanding position and will look to add pressure on New Zealand. The visitors got to bat for nine overs in the third session of the day's play, where both their openers did a good job by not throwing away their wicket. Martin Guptill and Tom Latham batted well and remained unbeaten on Day 2.Also read: SC rejects plea asking to overrule ban imposed on CSK India have the ball in their court and will eye for early wickets on Day 4. They will look to attack with their primary weapon, which has been Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. The duo has hunted in pairs and inflicted immense damage on the opposition in the recent times. New Zealand on the other hand have their man inform Kane Williamson back in the side after recovering from injury and also the services of Jimmy Neesham. To everyone's surprise, their openers have shown immense temperament and looked good in the nine overs, which they played on Day 2. They will give it all and try their best to save the day and come out fighting on Day 4. It's not a rocket science, all they need is some application and temperament. Day 3 is probably the most important day of the Test and will undoubtedly decide the fate of this Test. The first session holds a lot of importance for both the teams as both will look to conquer it and strengthen their roots in the game. Expect some more action as Day 3 unfolds on a Monday morning at Indore.