Quite a few records tumbled on day 2 of the third test between India and New Zealand, as Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane made merry. The duo commenced the day from where they left off yesterday as not a single wicket was lost in the first two sessions of the day. The two weren’t exactly attacking as they usually are, but they weren’t into their shell either. It was a mixed approach of attack and defense from the two batsmen.
Kohli got to his double ton just before the tea break and he became the only Indian captain to score two double centuries. Rahane, on the other hand, was also looking set for the elusive double century mark, but in a bid to accelerate, lost his wicket as he was caught terrifically by BJ Watling behind the stumps.
Post the day’s play, when India declared on a colossal 557-5, Rahane said that he was delighted to watch Kohli amass the runs from the opposite end. “I enjoyed in the middle. Yesterday I was struggling. It was important to hang in there. “Virat told me to take my time and later on you can play your shots and that’s what I did,” said Rahane. “Yesterday they had some plans against me. There’s no shame in struggling. Extremely happy how I tackled yesterday. Loved watching Kohli from the other end, his second double.”
The Mumbai batsman added that he would surely take a cue or two from Kohli’s style of batting. “There are too many things to learn from him. He is improving as a batsman, as a leader and great to see him scoring runs for us. Me and Virat decided to play slightly quicker once I reached 145, I wanted to accelerate after 150 and then slow down when I near my 200, but unfortunately I got out. It was a memorable partnership,” said Rahane.
Banking on the spinners to get them the breakthroughs, Rahane expected Jadeja and Ashwin to do the damage. “It was humid and we were really tired by tea time. It has started to turn and our spinners will come in handy tomorrow. Ashwin and Jadeja are bowling really well, we need to be patient,” Rahane concluded.