Kolkata: Rohit Sharma (82) and Wriddhiman Saha (39 not out) did a remarkable job to rebuild the Indian innings just when New Zealand were looking to turn the tables on day three of the second Test at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Sunday.
By the end of third day's play, India are leading by 339 runs, with two wickets in hand.
After securing a 112-run lead, India found themselves in a spot of bother after being reduced to 106/6. Trent Boult and Matt Henry had done a majority of damage. However, Rohit and Saha joined hands and put up a 104-run partnership to halt New Zealand’s comeback in the Test. Rohit, who is often criticised for failing to score big again, played a responsible knock.
The Mumbaikar did not offer too many chances to the Kiwi side before he got out on 82 in the final session of the play. While Saha remained unbeaten with Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the company, Ravindra Jadeja could not control his aggression and got out cheaply.
Earlier, New Zealand resumed play from their overnight score of 128/7. While Jeetan Patel and BJ Watling frustrated the hometeam, R Ashwin broke the 60-run partnership by dismissing Patel before Mohammed Shami cleaned up the New Zealand innings.
India, in their second innings, were pushed onto the backfoot as Matt Henry, who scalped three wickets in the first innings, once again struck twice in quick succession to send Murali Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara packing. Shikhar Dhawan once again failed to score big and was trapped before the wickets by Trent Boult. The southpaw was hit twice on his left thumb before he got out.
Ajinkya Rahane, failed to judge the bounce and got out off Henry’s bowling when India’s score was 43. Virat Kohli and Rohit tried to steady the Indian innings. Just when the Indian skipper was looking good to score big, he was done in by lack of bounce off Boult’s delivery and was adjudged out LBW.
