Raina-Kohli stand revives India

 

A rollicking half-century from Suresh Raina and an 88-run fifth wicket stand with Virat Kohli helped restore India's equilibrium after the loss of Sehwag and Tendulkar soon after lunch. At tea, India were 168 for 4, with Raina on 51 and Kohli on 33.

Raina's was an innings of determination and aggression, and would have given him more breathing space and confidence around his No. 6 spot. What is more, it came at a time India needed their Nos. 5 & 6 to steady the ship as New Zealand's bowlers, who ran in hard all day, threatened to get closer to the Indian lower order. With two quick wickets after lunch, New Zealand had made the most of their first innings total of 365. But it was the Kohli-Raina partnership that buoyed India's hopes.

At the start of his innings, Raina enjoyed most of the strike as he got enough opportunities to go onto his front foot. He struck three attractive boundaries in the second over he faced from Bracewell, including a cracking pull shot off a short ball. When Jeetan Patel tossed up one, Raina struck a sweet six over extra cover, taking 20 runs off the 33 balls he faced from Patel. On 48, he was to receive a reprieve when he was stumped off a no-ball from Patel. It took him 14 more balls to go from 49 to 50, before he dabbed a double past the slip cordon for two.