Cricket-Rahane hits ton, India 358-3 after wicketless session

INDORE, India, Oct 9 (Reuters) - Ajinkya Rahane scored his eighth test century as he and Virat Kohli frustrated New Zealand in a wicketless session to steer India to a commanding 358 for three at lunch on day two of the third and final test on Sunday.

The unbroken 258-run fourth wicket partnership between India captain Kohli and his deputy Rahane has put the hosts, who hold an unassailable 2-0 win in the series, well on course for a big first innings total.

Rahane was on 124 at the break with Kohli on 149 in the first test match at Indore's Holkar Stadium.

Rahane has not looked comfortable against short-pitched deliveries and the right-hander was subjected to a barrage of short-pitched deliveries by Matt Henry after India resumed on 267 for three.

The 28-year-old was in two minds whether to duck under a Henry bouncer and was smacked in the helmet but he shrugged that off and took a single off Trent Boult to bring up only the second century of the series.

Rahane looked more confident against spin and after bringing up his century and hit Jeetan Patel for a six before he meted out the same treatment to left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner.

New Zealand's best chance of the session was when Kohli was nearly bowled by Patel when he sought to defend a delivery that hit the toe of his bat and bounced just over the stumps. (Reporting by Amlan Chakraborty in New Delhi; editing by Greg Stutchbury)