Rohit Sharma puts India in command of the second Test - India v New Zealand, 2nd Test, Kolkata, 3rd day
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An impressive display from Rohit Sharma - who scored a 132-ball 82 - helped India take control of the second Test against New Zealand, with a sizeable 339-run second innings lead at Eden Gardens on Sunday.
The surface at Kolkata - like it did on the first two days of the Test - offered assistance to the seamers and New Zealand looked to Trent Boult and Matt Henry to strike early. The duo didn't disappoint and dismissed India's top four batsmen for just 43 runs in 14 overs.
The triple blow gave the tourists hope of restricting India's lead. But they came up against Virat Kohli and Sharma, who carefully negotiated the moving ball. New Zealand's bowlers attempted to rattle Kohli first with the short ball and - when that failed - with fuller length, but Kohli refused to budge and added 45 runs from 65 deliveries before he departed.
When Kohli was dismissed, India had stretched the lead to 203. A free-flowing Sharma took the game even further away from New Zealand, as he eased to his 50 from 89 balls.
Spectators at Eden Gardens - have seen Sharma destroy attacks at the ground in the past - were treated to cover drives and cuts that saw him race to 82 off 132. When he departed, two overs before stumps on day three, India's lead was 321. Wriddhiman Saha and Bhuvneshwar Kumar will attempt to stretch the lead further on day four, with Mohammed Shami yet to bat.
New Zealand's batsmen face an uphill task, when they do take the crease, as no team has ever made as many in the fourth innings and the highest target chased down at the venue was a mere 117.
"It was important from the team's perspective. We lost wickets initially and wanted to build partnerships. Virat got out unfortunately at the wrong time, but we have a lower-middle order that can get runs," Sharma said.
"Saha and I just spoke about playing according to the merit of the ball. I think 340-odd lead is probably good enough on that kind of wicket, but we have two more wickets, and the remaining batters will hopefully get some more runs. I try and enjoy myself, and do the things that are in my control."
"It is good to have the support of the team management, but it's important for me to go out there and get runs for the team. We've seen over the last two days, there's something on the wicket, you have to be tight, and put the loose balls away. Saha and myself, we rotated the strike really well in the middle."
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