Virat Kohli (93 batting) and skipper M S Dhoni (46 batting) led the Indian fight back as hosts reached 283 for five wickets in their first innings in reply to New Zealand’s 365 at stumps on the second day of the second and final test match played at M Chinnaswamy stadium here today. The Indians, who bundled out the Black Caps in their first innings at 365 in the morning, an addition of just 37 to the overnight total of 328 for 6, were in deep trouble at 80 for four after the top order batsmen were done in by the Kiwi pacers Tim Southee 3/35 and Doug Bracewell 2/66. But Kohli stood like a rock and neutralised the advantage the New Zealanders had gained in the first two sessions of the day’s play. The two batsmen have so far added 104 for the sixth wicket in 167 balls that took India from 179 for 5 to 283 without further loss, when stumps were drawn for the day. Kohli should his brilliant batting prowess by facing with ease all the rival bowlers and negotiated the seamers with aplomb. He has so far struck nine hits to the fence and a six, struck on either sides of the wicket. Dhoni was an equal folly for Kohli, as the Indian captain began with a bang striking two huge sixes of off spinner Jeetan Patel, coming to the crease when India was in trouble. He was severe on the off spinner while played the pacers with aplomb. He has so far struck five hits to the fence apart from the two towering sixes. Earlier, Suresh Raina compiled a well made 55 to pull India out of trouble after Sehwag (43) and Tendulkar (17) were dismissed by Bracewell in the post lunch session. In the morning, Tim Southee had rattled the top order sending back Gautam Gambhir (02) and Cheteshwar Pujara (09) to push Indians to a tight corner. After making a valuable half century, his seventh in the career, Raina, who is making a comback into test cricket, departed soon after the tea break. He was caught brilliantly by van WyK behind the stumps to provide Southee his third wicket of Indian innings.
—-UNI