Rohit Sharma produced a calm and composed 82 runs to help India establish a formidable 339-run lead against New Zealand at stumps on Day Three of the second Test being played at the Eden Gardens here on Sunday.
Sharma struck nine boundaries and two sixes in his 132-ball knock and shared a crucial 103-run partnership with Wriddhiman Saha (unbeaten 39) to propel India to 227-8 at the end of the day's play.
Skipper Virat Kohli fell just five runs short of half-century, dismissed for 45.
India will now aim to increase their lead when Saha and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (unbeaten eight) resume their partnership on Monday.
Earlier, the Indian seamers bundled New Zealand out for 204 in reply to their team's first innings score of 316.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who finished with five wickets in 10 overs on Saturday, added one more in the third over of the day to become the first Indian pacer to claim six wickets at home.
Mohammad Shami bagged three wickets while Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja chipped in with a wicket each.
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