Rohit Sharma comes of age in Kolkata

India heaved a collective sigh of relief on Sunday when Rohit Sharma finally came of age as a Test batsman to put the hosts in sight of a series-clinching victory in the second Test against New Zealand in Kolkata.

Sharma's rare batting talent was undisputed, but he has often frustrated his captains, coaches, media and fans alike by throwing his wicket away in Tests with loose shots.

However, all that changed at Eden Gardens in front of a sizeable Sunday crowd when he smashed a brilliant 82 on a treacherous, deteriorating pitch to quell New Zealand's challenge.

Walking in at 4-43 in the second innings - a lead of just 155 runs - Sharma led a remarkable turnaround with a mix of cautious defense and spectacular aggression that fetched him nine fours and two sixes.

Quick single: Rohit builds India's lead over Kiwis

Sharma stood rock solid at one end during a 48-run stand for the fifth wicket with skipper Virat Kohli, who scored a typically classy 45 before a Trent Boult grubber claimed him leg-before.

But it was the seventh-wicket partnership of 103 with local boy Wriddhiman Saha that swung the match India's way before Sharma was caught behind off Mitchell Santner three overs before stumps.

India ended the day at 8-227, an overall lead of 339, leaving New Zealand needing to score the highest fourth-innings score ever at Eden Gardens to level the three-match series.

The best fourth innings total at the ground to date has been India's 3-325 to draw against the West Indies way back in 1948.

Sharma, who owes his continued inclusion in the Test side to the faith both coach Anil Kumble and Kohli have in him, said he never felt he was under pressure to perform.

"As far as I’m concerned, I’m under no pressure," he said. "It is only the media which says I'm under pressure. Do I look under pressure?"

The 29-year-old Sharma had remained an enigma in Tests despite scoring two one-day double-centuries, including a world record score of 264 off 173 balls against Sri Lanka at the Eden Gardens in 2014.

Quick single: Du Plessis tons up after injury scare

Having had to wait six years after his international debut in 2007 to break into the Test side, Sharma responded with centuries in each of his first two innings, both against the West Indies in 2013.

One of those 2013 tons came at Eden Gardens - a ground where Sharma remarkably averages 107 from five matches across all formats - so perhaps it was no surprise his love affair with the venue has continued.

But he has since been unable to add a third Test hundred to his tally - mainly due to his own impetuous approach - although he came close to achieving that on Sunday during his 20th match.

"These are certainly tough conditions to bat," Sharma said. "That's why my innings was important from the team's perspective.

"We lost early wickets and needed to build partnerships. Virat got out at the wrong time, but Saha and I discussed about playing each ball to its merit and not think too far ahead.

"We are glad that we could get a 100-plus partnership. I think a lead of 340 is good enough but we still have two more wickets in hand and can increase the target.

"Our job is not done yet and we have two important days coming up. We have to stay focused. We have seen over the last two days that there's something in the wicket.

"You have to be tight. You can't just play your shots; you have to understand the wicket and put the loose balls away."

New Zealand's task of winning - or saving - the Test has already been made more difficult by the absence of captain and star batsman Kane Williamson, who is sitting out the match due to a viral fever.

But the faltering top-order need look no further for inspiration than tailender Jeetan Patel, who scored a run-a-ball 47 in the morning on day three to lift New Zealand from their overnight total of 7-128 to 204.

Batting at number nine, Patel surpassed his previous best Test score of 27, hitting nine boundaries to show his more accomplished teammates how to bat on this wicket.

"He did very well," Boult said of Patel. "I think a lot of our batsmen can take a leaf out of his book and try and apply like he did because they are valuable runs.

"A little bit variation and bounce is going to be in the back of your minds, but we have got to take it session by session.

"I definitely think any target that is set for us is definitely achievable."