Mumbai: Virat Kohli found his golden touch as he commands the Indian score to a formidable 267 at the end of day 1 in the third test against New Zealand. India, after winning the toss, chose to bat but was struggling after three early losses for a hundred runs.
India, however, rode on unbeaten 167 runs partnership between Kohli (103*) and Ajinkya Rahane (79*) to control the damage dealt at the beginning of the innings. Kohli registered his 13th Test ton in 48 matches after a bad form of continuous low scores in his last seven innings since he scored his first double ton against the West Indies in July.
The top order showed some grit as they handled the New Zealand quickies efficiently and hit boundaries in all directions of the Holkar stadium. Rahane who seemed to enjoy his own game with a free-flowing Kohli at the other end and he brought up his tenth Test fifty with style by hitting a six of Jeetan Patel.
Virat Kohli at first looked uncertain but started scoring freely once he got accustomed to the opposition’s attack and got up to his fifty. He soon started dominating the Kiwi bowling attack. He brought his century in a very unlikely way, dabbing a bouncing delivery from Matt Henry and scurrying for a quick single which saw a direct hit at the bowler’s end but India’s prime batsmen was just home and celebrated his century.
Kiwi skipper Kane Williamson who missed out on the second test came back to lead his side. He shuffled between his bowlers but Kohli and Rahane were equally consistent.
India did not lose even a single wicket as Kohli and Rahane were free flowing runs for the home side. India’s in-form batsman Cheteshwar Pujara put on a 41 before he was bowled of a beauty of Mitchell Santner’s spinner. He put on a 40 run partnership with Kohli before getting out.
India lost both their openers quickly as the comeback Gambhir (29) who is playing Test cricket after two years, got out after getting a good start. Trent Boult got the better of Gambhir who was batting explosively by catching him lbw with an incoming delivery.
Patel got Murali at 10 and Patel, Santner and Boult all got a piece of wickets in today’s play. India holds the lead of 2-0 over the series and must be definitely planning a whitewash over the visiting side.