An unbeaten partnership of 167 runs for the fourth wicket between Virat Kohli(103) and Ajinkya Rahane (79) took India to a strong position after the end of first day’s play of the last and the third Test against New Zealand at Indore.
Earlier, Virat Kohli won the toss and decided to bat first. However, Indian openers could not take advantage of a good batting pitch as Murali Vijay was dismissed with only 26 runs on the board. Gautam Gambhir, who returned to action after a two-year hiatus was looking good but his promising innings of 29 came to an end, when he was trapped in front of the wicket by Trent Boult. The hosts were in a spot of bother after losing three wickets with only 100 runs on the board. But then Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane batted brilliantly to take India to a commanding position in the match and took a big step in their pursuit of whitewashing the Kiwis. Virat Kohli scored his 13th Test century while Ajinkya Rahane scored his 10th half-century. The hosts finished the day on 267 for 3.
Here is how Twitter reacted to the day’s play:
Agar Virat Kohli Taxi hote to unka meter 100 se shuru hota – @virendersehwag
— Jatin Gulati (70) ?? (@jatinininin) October 8, 2016
https://twitter.com/SirJadejaaaa/status/784641942223192064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Gautam Gambhir's Die-hard Fans Looking For Ways To Blame MS Dhoni & Virat Kohli For His Dismissal In 2nd Debut Match (2016)#INDvNZ #INDvsNZ pic.twitter.com/EF8NFBYRX6
— Real Historic Pic (@RealHistoricPic) October 8, 2016
Consecutive sixes for Gambhir and you realize he's the same guy who scored 97 against Sri Lanka in the 2011 World Cup final. #INDvNZ
— Pritam Sharma (@VanDiablo) October 8, 2016
https://twitter.com/sagarcasm/status/784636289605898241?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Virat Kohli is too perfect for a 27 odd yrs old. #indvsnz #champ
— Rofl Gandhi 2.0 ? (@RoflGandhi_) October 8, 2016
https://twitter.com/AllTimeBakchod/status/784715414416699392?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Rahane will remember this innings for a long time. The real character comes out when the going gets tough…and it was tough for him today!
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) October 8, 2016
That gesture was for guys who give Virat throwdowns in the nets.. Clearly he was working on something and its worked last 2 innings. #IndvNZ
— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) October 8, 2016
.@imVkohli will enjoy this century because it has turned the tide and put India in a position to dominate the game
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 8, 2016
Consecutive sixes for Gambhir and you realize he's the same guy who scored 97 against Sri Lanka in the 2011 World Cup final. #INDvNZ
— Pritam Sharma (@VanDiablo) October 8, 2016
Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane could well easily become this generation's best batting partnership duo. Such mighty knocks. #indvsnz
— Vipin (@vips06) October 8, 2016
'Virat Kohli scored a century'
* @Atheist_Krishna makes a Photoshop with Kejriwal face on the Bowler * https://t.co/iEKUqlhm07
— Smart Techie (@techie_smart) October 8, 2016
Stunning comeback by India after being down 100/3; star of the day according to me has to be Virat Kohli, take a bow skipper. #indvsnz
— Noel D'Souza (@Noel2589) October 8, 2016
https://twitter.com/SirJad1/status/784718922096472064