India vs New Zealand, 3rd Test

Soft dismissal: 

 Tom Latham departs after a fantastic half-century. Ashwin strikes just 15 minutes before lunch. Soft dismissal for Latham who had played so well until now. The leading edge goes straight to Ashwin who takes an easy peasy return catch. Latham gone for 53.

Another fifty: 

Latham now brings up his third half-century of the series with a beautifully controlled sweep. It is his tenth in Tests.

Fifty: 

Martin Guptill gets to him seventh half-century after seven innings of not having one. This will give him the required confidence that he was apparently lacking heading into the tour, It comprised of seven fours and two sixes.

Partmership: 

The New Zealand openers are still going steady as they reach their 50-run stand. This is their second fifty-run stand in the series after Kolkata.

Just as I was typing that, Latham hits one that falls JUST short of Jadeja at short midwicket. Lucky escape.

Dropped: 

Rahane drops a chance offered by Gulptill at Gully when on 21, The ball went straight to him as it went in and out. Will that cost India? Guptill has looked out of sorts all series. Is this the luck he needs?

Build-up: 

Good morning and thank you for joining us on Day 3.

Day 2 was all about the Indian pair of Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane. They scored respective centuries, before Kohli got to his second double hundred, being the only Indian captain to get to two of those. When New Zealand take the field this morning, they will have to carry on from where they left off last evening. They looked solid. The Indian spinners will be licking their lips given that the pitch assists them, but that wicket also has runs. The visitors will need to show some patience and bat on. A fight from New Zealand will be nice to watch.

Stumps: New Zealand start strong

Day two of the third Test in Indore was studdded with centuries from Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane. The pair added 365 for the fourth wicket and en route broke a series of record, both personal and partnership ones. It was indeed a day to remember for the pair as India went through two sessions without losing a wicket.

The tiring New Zealand bowlers were punished as the duo kept collecting runs before Kohli fell in the first over after Tea for 211 while Rahane departed after for 188. Rohit Sharma then carted the bowlers away for a quick-fire half-century after which India soon declared for 557/5.

Martin Guptill and Tom Latham have started their innings strongly, seeing out the nine overs unscathed. New Zealand end with 28/0, with Guptill on 17 and Latham on 6.

Please join us on Day 3 when New Zealand resume batting. Thank you for your company today. Goodbye!

New Zealand innings: 

As a result of the penalty levied, New Zealand begin the innings with 5/0. Guptill gets going with a boundary in the opening over.

Declaration: 

 And it has come. India declare for 557/5 and New Zealand will have nine overs to see through today. What an innings this has been for India. After sensational tons from Rahane and Kohli, Rohit Sharma came out all guns blazing with the intent of scoring quick runs. With Jadeja, he added 53 runs in 59 balls before reaching his fifty in the bargain. India have done enough to last them across both innings.

It would do the contest a world of good of New Zealand can at least put up a decent fight against India's bowlers. Momentum and confidence is clearly with India, but a surprise would be nice from the New Zealand batsmen.

Penalty: 

Ravindra Jadeja runs straight down the wicket. That, after a prior warning. A five-run penalty has been levied.

India, however, cross the 550-run mark now. Rohit Sharma gets to his half-century with a six. When will India declare?

Rahane goes: 

Boult, however, makes up for that inducing an edge off Rahane's bat when on 188. Wicketkeeper dives to his right and pouches it safely. Rahane has to go just 12 short of what would have been his first double hundred.

India - 504/5. Ravindra Jadeja is the next man in. He was rapped on the pads off the first ball, but umpire turns down the appeal.

Dropped: 

Trent Boult puts down a tough chance off Rohit. Skied towards long on, Boult chases it and almost pulls off a screamer but can't. India 504/4.

IND 557/5 decl

NZ 125/1 (39.0 Ovs) Lunch