India vs New Zealand | Kohli-Rahane take India to 500+ total on day 2

Brief Scores: India 557/5 in 169 Overs, (Virat Kohli 211, Rahane 188, Rohit 51*) vs New Zealand 28/0 (Guptill 17)

While the Indore crowd turned up for the game in a great number, Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane had a job in their hand to ensure India have the early advantage. Building on the confidence of the first day, they dominated the proceedings with absolute ease.

The Indian skipper completed his second double century by nudging Matt Henry to the mid-wicket for a single. In the process, he also became the first Indian captain to score two double centuries in Test matches.

Although Rahane played the second fiddle to his captain for most of the game, he made a finely crafted innings of 188 runs at the other end. The pundits of the game consider Ajinkya Rahane as the next Rahul Dravid in Indian cricket, and he made that feeling even stronger with the help of this innings. After being exposed by short-balls of Matt Henry earlier in day one, Rahane got through that phase with sheer determination and patience. Though he got conked on the helmet and hit on the arm guard and gloves, the Indian vice-captain didn’t lose his confidence and hit Trent Boult for a pull to complete his eighth century in Test cricket. It is one of the toughest centuries that Rahane had hit so far in his career and nothing short of extraordinary.

After batting for 366 balls at an impressive strike rate of 57.65, Virat Kohli failed to judge the length of a ball from Jeetan Patel. Trying to go for a flick off a drifter from Patel, he was caught plumb in front after scoring 211 runs.

After the dismissal of his captain, Rahane still continued his assault on the New Zealand bowlers with Rohit Sharma partnering him at the other end. However, Rahane's sublime innings, filled with focus and composure, came to an unfortunate end when he edged a delivery from Boult to the keeper and failed to achieve his first double century. His innings of 188 runs, was studded with 18 fours and four sixes. 

Black Caps show fantastic team spirit

The New Zealanders are always famous for their sportsmanship and gentlemanliness. From John Wright to Daniel Vettori, from Richard Hadlee to Stephen Fleming - the kiwis have always set their standards high on the field.

New Zealand finish the day without losing a wicket

New Zealand openers Tom Latham and Martin Guptill had just one job to do on the day – last the nine overs left in the day without losing a wicket. They did exactly that, but Martin Guptill did go a bit beyond the scope. The batsman, who has had a terrible run in this series, has a do-or-die innings ahead, but he showed little signs of that.