New Zealand’s Day of Test cricket was thrilling, producing 402 runs in Bengaluru, with Rachin Ravindra scoring a century and Tim Southee scoring a half-century in the process. They have managed to build a lead of 356 runs. This is severely testing the Indian resolve. However, the Indian batsmen responded well with 231 runs for the loss of three wickets, for which Sarfaraz Khan remained unbeaten on 70 at stumps on Day 3. New Zealand thus maintains a significant lead of 125 runs.
The groundwork for the comeback was established by captain Rohit Sharma, who skillfully handled the new ball spells from Tim Southee and Matt Henry. Yashasvi Jaiswal also showed potential with a score of 35, and together they contributed 72 runs to the total.
India’s fightback was led by the captain, Rohit Sharma, who handled the new ball spells from Tim Southee and Matt Henry calmly. Yashasvi Jaiswal added 35 runs and contributed to a partnership of 72 runs.
Sarfaraz Khan is the batting personality of India and remains not out on 70. The pitch is likely to get worse further. His presence at the crease will thus be invaluable. He is going to take the challenge for New Zealand’s lead and finally set an attacking target for the visitors in the last innings.
India will be counting on Sarfaraz again to establish a challenging total and put the New Zealanders on their back legs.
Full Scorecard:
India: 46 all out (Rishabh Pant 20; Matt Henry 5/15)
India: 231/3 (Sarfaraz Khan 70*, Virat Kohli 70; Ajaz Patel 2/70)
New Zealand: 402 all out (Rachin Ravindra 134, Devon Conway 91; Ravindra Jadeja 3/72).
(Written by Nilesh Tiwari)
