Rohit Sharma, the target of many questions about his place in the Indian Test team, silenced the doubters with a masterful 82 in the last session of Day 3 in the Eden Gardens. His 103-run partnership with Wriddhiman Saha dragged India out of a precarious 110/6 and gave them a lead of 339, at the end of play on the third day.
The best part about Sharma's innings was his ability to remain patient. Apart from a six, he did not hit any boundaries in his first 40 balls, preferring to remain solid and assess the conditions at a time when New Zealand were asking serious questions of the Indian batting. But despite the odd ball occasionally jumping, Sharma grew in confidence, taking on the in-fielders several times and going for the big shots. The dependable Saha (39 not out) provided great support and a century seemed there for the taking for Sharma, but Mitchell Santner finally got his wicket, as Sharma edged to Ronchi on 82.
With the lead having touched 320, Ravindra Jadeja came out with the license to slog and cleared deep mid-wicket for a six, but holed out while attempting another hit. Bhuvneshwar Kumar continued in the same vein, hitting Santner for a huge six over long-on as India finished the day at 227/8, a massive lead of 339.
Brief scores:
India 316 and 227/8 (Rohit Sharma 82, Virat Kohli 45; Matt Henry 3/44, Mitchell Santner 3/51) lead New Zealand 204 by 339 runs
