In reply, the Kiwis were four down for 105 in 31.4 overs when bad light forced an early end to the proceedings at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval here.
Struggling at 136 for four overnight, Rayudu single-handedly lifted the team out of the precarious situation. After some decent contributions from the lower-order batsmen, the Indians seem to be in a position of strength now.
The rebuilding job started with Rayudu sharing a 59-run fifth-wicket stand with Ashok Menaria, who made a 47-ball 30, including four boundaries, to stabilise the innings after a mini-collapse on day one.
After Menaria was dismissed by an economical Neil Wagner, Rayudu found another able partner in wicketkeeper Naman Ojha (41). The duo shared the most important partnership of the innings that contributed 105 runs to the Indian total.
Ojha struck three fours and a couple of sixes during his 59-ball stay in the middle which ended when he was caught by all-rounder Luke Woodcock off the bowler's own bowling. MORE