Internet Desk: New Zealand were 28/0 in their first innings in reply to India’s 557/5d at the end of day 2 of the third and final cricket Test at Indore.
In an unusual occurrence, India were handed a five-run penalty after Ravindra Jadeja got a second warning for running on the pitch on day two of the third cricket Test against New Zealand.
The hosts were penalised in what turned out to be the penultimate over of the innings which was declared at 557 for five in 169 overs.
Jadeja, facing pacer Trent Boult, ran straight down the middle of the pitch attracting a second warning from umpire Bruce Oxenford and with it a penalty of five runs for his team.
As a result of the penalty, New Zealand were awarded five runs even before the the start of their first innings.
Earlier in the day, captain Virat Kohli eased his way to a second double century while Ajinkya Rahane also came up with a career-best knock as India took complete command against New Zealand.
Kohli got out with his career best of 211, his second double ton in the space of six Tests while Rahane scored 188 before got out to Trent Boult.
In the process, the duo also raised the highest-ever fourth-wicket stand of 365 for India against all opposition, overtaking the previous Indian record of 353 by Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman made against Australia at the SCG in January, 2004.
These two completely dominated a listless New Zealand bowling attack enabled India to add 98 runs in 30 overs in the second session after they resumed at the lunchtime score of 358 for 3.
Kohli reached his double century with a single to long leg off Matt Henry, who had rapped him on the pads when he was on 194 only to find the concerted appeal being turned down by the umpire.
It took the Indian captain 347 balls and 516 minutes stay to reach the landmark with the help of 18 hits to the fence.
He scored his first double ton, in July against the West Indies in the opening Test of the series in North Sound, Antigua.
The well-set fourth-wicket pair stepped on the gas and attacked the New Zealand bowling with gusto from the beginning of the post-lunch session.
Both batsmen looked totally at ease against pace and spin on a track that eased oit considerably as they first shot their way past the previous best stand of 281 against New Zealand between Sachin Tendulkar and Saurav Ganguly in 1999 at Ahmedabad.
They continued to frustrate the Kiwis after having joined forces at the fall of Cheteshwar Pujara when the team score was 100 in the second session on Saturday.
Brief Scores:
India 1st Innings: 557/5d. (Virat Kohli 211, Ajinkya Rahane 188)
New Zealand 1st Innings: 28/0 in 9 overs (Martin Guptill 17*).