In a remarkable twist of the cricketing saga unfolding in Bengaluru, India finds itself clawing back from an unprecedented low in the annals of Asian Test cricket. The hosts, facing New Zealand in the first Test of the series, have embarked on their second innings with a renewed sense of determination after a dismal performance in the first half of the match. Having registered the lowest Test total by any team in Asia, India took to the pitch with steely resolve in their second innings, hoping to overturn a daunting deficit and salvage pride on the home turf.
The Indian openers, Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal, stepped up to the challenging task with a solid batting display as they endeavored to counteract New Zealand’s mammoth first innings lead of 356 runs. As the clock ticked towards the tea break, the duo had laid a solid foundation with an unbroken 57-run partnership. Rohit, unbeaten on 27, and Jaiswal on 29, showcased a promising blend of caution and aggression as they led India’s fightback against the formidable Kiwi attack.
With the sun shining overhead and the pitch easing into a more predictable surface, the Indian batsmen found their rhythm. Rohit, who initially took a few overs to get his eye in, unfurled an array of elegant drives and flicks that kept the scoreboard ticking. Jaiswal, on the other hand, had a slightly shaky start but gradually found his feet, picking up pace as the innings progressed. Their approach ensured that India maintained a scoring rate close to four-runs-per-over, ensuring they were not bogged down by the enormity of the task at hand—a critical approach given the sizable deficit they need to overcome.
Despite the improved batting conditions, the pitch at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium carries the potential of uneven bounce, which is expected to become more pronounced over the next couple of days. The assistance for spinners, a hallmark of subcontinental pitches, is anticipated to increase, though the current session hasn’t presented significant issues for the Indian batsmen in this regard.
Earlier in the match, New Zealand, led by the scintillating performance of Rachin Ravindra, capitalized on India’s first innings collapse to pile on the pressure.
. Ravindra crafted a masterclass on batting technique and temperament, particularly post-lunch, propelling his team to a commanding lead. His aggressive play, rooted in the confidence of having seen the best of the Indian attack, was instrumental in adding invaluable runs. Accompanied by Tim Southee who contributed a crucial fifty, Ravindra played a pivotal role in pushing the New Zealand total beyond the 350-run barrier.
However, the drama did not end there. Following Southee’s dismissal shortly after his half-century, Ravindra switched gears into a more aggressive mode, reminiscent of T20 cricket. Unfazed by the challenge, he attacked the Indian spinners, repeatedly finding the boundary and further frustrating the home side. India missed a key opportunity when they failed to review a leg-before-wicket appeal against Ravindra when he was on 110. The mistake cost India dearly as Ravindra added another 24 runs before eventually succumbing to wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav. His innings ended, but not before he caused significant damage to India’s prospects.
As the third day of play unfolds, the situation remains precarious for India. They face a formidable task with a deficit of 299 runs and seven sessions remaining in the match. For the hosts to stay in the game and push towards a potential comeback, the upcoming session is critical. A resolute and dominating performance is imperative if India aims to carry any momentum into the fourth day and entertain hopes of turning the tide against a formidable New Zealand side.
Brief Scores: India 46 and 57/0 (Yashasvi Jaiswal 29*, Rohit Sharma 27*) trail New Zealand 402 (Rachin Ravindra 134, Devon Conway 91; Ravindra Jadeja 3-72) by 299 runs.