Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane were magnificent on the second day of the third Test match in Indore, and now it will be over to the bowlers as far as India are concerned as New Zealand look to put up their own batting show on day three on Monday.
What Kohli and Rahane's partnership did is shut out the chance of one result – a New Zealand win. That means this series will either end 2-0 in favour of India or 3-0.
If New Zealand are to keep it 2-0, they need to look at the manner in which Kohli scored his double hundred. It was by playing risk-free shots and counting on the singles. The boundaries were hit only when the bad balls were bowled or when he felt he could bring those wrists into play without putting his wicket in jeopardy.
It was brilliance and control at its absolute best, and New Zealand will plan to bat in the same manner. They will also know they need a bit of luck if they are to save this Test match, much like Rahane had when he was like a cat on a hot tin roof in the final session of day one, but survived.
This wicket is still not showing any signs of batting danger and New Zealand will hope that won't change on day three. However, R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja will back their skills to get wickets on this pitch, assistance, little assistance or no assistance, and New Zealand will need to show tremendous powers of concentration to survive.
Patience is what the India bowlers will need. Playing only four bowlers means, Kohli always has to be aware of not overbowling someone, while also making sure all of them feel involved enough to be ready to put in a really good spell.
Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav must be able to sustain the pressure by cutting the flow of runs, while also taking a few wickets between themselves. However, you feel, this match will be decided by how effective Ashwin and Jadeja are and how well the New Zealand batsmen, led by the world-class Kane Williamson, play them.
Where to Watch Live
India vs New Zealand day three of the third Test match is set to begin at 9.30am IST (5pm NZT, 5am BST, 12am ET). Live Streaming and TV information is below.
India: TV: Star Sports 1/HD1 and Star Sports 3/HD3. Live Streaming: Hotstar.
New Zealand: TV: Sky Sport 3. Live Streaming: Sky Go NZ.
US and Canada: TV: Willow TV. Live Streaming: Willow TV Online.
UK: TV: Sky Sports 3. Live Streaming: Watch Sky Sports.
Middle East: TV: OSN Cricket. Live Streaming: OSN Cricket Live.
