Bangalore: Virat Kohli performed a brilliant recovery act and was just seven runs short of his second Test century as India bounced back from a precarious position to leave the second cricket Test against New Zealand evenly poised here on Saturday.
After restricting New Zealand to 365 in the first innings, the Indians were tottering at 80 for four at one stage before Kohli (93 not out) led the Indian fightback as they reached 283 for five at close on the second day.
Suresh Raina (55) and captain MS Dhoni (batting 46) also played an important part in India’s recovery. The home side still trail by 82 runs with five first innings wickets intact after a half an hour’s extended play.
The umpires Ian Gould and Steve Davis decided to extend play as 34 minutes were lost on Friday due to bad light. The lights were required, however, for the second consecutive day.
Kohli was involved in a crucial 99-run partnership with Raina for the fifth wicket and then put on 104 runs with Dhoni in the unbroken sixth wicket stand.
Kohli initially played a waiting game until he found his bearings and executed some delightful drives early on. Later on, he intermittently raised the tempo scoring couple of boundaries in an over. The Delhi batsman chose loose balls to attack and paced his innings well to see India narrow the deficit.
Kohli brought his fifth Test half century off 100 balls in style by clipping pacer Tim Southee to fine leg fence for four.
Sachin Tendulkar’s longevity in the game provided an interesting anecdote after he was bowled by Doug Bracewell for 17. As it turns out, the Kiwi paceman’s father John had dismissed Tendulkar in a Test back in 1990 in Christchurch. (PTI)