IND vs NZ 2016: After hitting stupendous 188 runs, Ajinkya Rahane says he learned a lot from Virat Kohli's innings

New Delhi: Despite missing his first double hundred by 12 runs, Ajinkya Rahane was happy to see the team's cause defended, and was all praise for skipper Virat Kohli.

After the second day's play in the third Test against New Zealand at Indore, the 28-year-old on Sunday told the official broadcasters that he "enjoyed" the time in the middle, and was humble enough to admit his struggle.

"I enjoyed my time in the middle. I was struggling a bit yesterday, but it was important to hang in there," he said. (ALSO READ: Virat Kohli becomes first Indian cricketer to score two double centuries as captain)

Rahane scored 188 runs off 381 balls, and along with Kohli (211 off 366 balls), stitched a 365-run fourth-wicket partnership to help India post a mammoth 557 for 5 before declaring the innings.

It was his eighth Test hundred, and third in India. He has scored hundreds all over the globe — at Wellington, Lord's, Melbourne, Colombo and Kingston. Yes, he missed centuries at Durban (96) and Fatullah (98) by whiskers.

At home, he previously scored tons in both the innings in the Delhi Test against South Africa last year. (ALSO READ: India vs New Zealand 2016, 3rd Test, Day 2 — As it happened...)

Rahane hailed the "communication" between him and Kohli, and said, "Virat's message to me was to just hang in there. Communication between both of us was the key, and I really loved it."

He admitted that the plan was to dominate the Kiwi bowlers after reaching 150, then take time to reach the double hundred. But that never happened.

He, however, managed to post career-high score. Besides, he was treated to a classic innings from Kohli.

"It was great to see Virat bat the way he did, learnt a lot of things. He's improving as a batsman and a leader. It was very humid and we were tired after tea. We wanted to play shots, but it was tough," he added.

In the course of innings, Rahane also crossed the 2000-run mark.