On a thrilling Day 3 of the first Test in Bengaluru, India has asserted their dominance against New Zealand, but not without some exciting turns. The post-lunch session on Saturday was particularly vibrant, with the day delivering both drama and discipline. New Zealand struck thrice, but not before Sarfaraz Khan and Rishabh Pant gave India a substantial lead after a resolute 177-run partnership. As it stands, India’s score of 438 for 6 gives them an 82-run lead with four sessions remaining in what promises to be an eagerly-awaited finish.
The day began with an unusual twist due to a brief interruption, leading to an early lunch break and consequently a delayed start to the post-lunch session. Yet, this disruption hardly seemed to disrupt Sarfaraz and Pant, whose elegant and fluent performances steadied the Indian innings. Even though they moderated their aggressive style slightly as the morning session wore on, it was still a formidable display of test cricket.
India started their day in a precarious position, looking to minimize a first-innings deficit and build a defensive lead against a determined New Zealand attack. With New Zealand’s field spread out to cut boundaries, Sarfaraz and Pant deftly nudged singles and occasionally pierced the field with flair. Sarfaraz, in particular, was creative, using deft cuts and confident lofts to reach his shots’ full potential, while Pant fearlessly attempted to challenge the boundary fielders intermittently.
Facing the old ball, the pair were typically assertive, seemingly in complete control. Nearly 45 minutes before the Tea break, the second new ball was introduced, creating a stir in the proceedings. The fresh ball offered New Zealand’s bowlers Tim Southee and William O’Rourke some reprieve with extra bounce and swing putting the Indian batsmen under pressure for a brief period.
Sarfaraz, despite his initial proactiveness against Tim Southee’s attack, eventually succumbed to an outswinger, but not before crafting an impressive century – his 11th first-class 150. His stalwart innings underscored his reputation as a test batsman of substance, bringing the crowd to its feet.
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In contrast, Pant continued his innings energetically, looking set to join his partner in crossing the century mark. However, just short of a well-deserved century, he misjudged a delivery from William O’Rourke, dragging it onto his stumps, much to the dismay of the fans and his teammates.
The challenges intensified for India as KL Rahul, who had been kept waiting in the dressing room, faltered. The ever-reliable Rahul fell just moments before tea, etching a thin edge that nestled comfortably in the wicketkeeper’s gloves. This slightly dented India’s momentum but not their spirits, leaving the session on a balanced note.
Earlier, during the rain-spattered morning session, Sarfaraz and Pant’s partnership dictated terms, amassing a captivating 113 runs. They not only reduced the initial deficit but ensured India edged ahead of New Zealand by lunchtime. The session was characterized by sure-footed dominance and grace under pressure, briefly interrupted by a few notable New Zealand appeals and a missed run-out chance – moments that could have tipped the delicate balance of the game.
Sarfaraz’s innings celebrated his maiden Test ton, exploiting the space New Zealand gave him outside off stump. His boundary-hitting prowess combined with Pant’s explosive counterattacks set a brilliant foundation for India.
Currently, India leads New Zealand by 82 runs. This scoreboard battle reveals the complexity of Test cricket, with India poised in a commanding position but mindful of New Zealand’s potential resurgence. The sequence of events set up a tantalizing final four sessions of play, promising cricket enthusiasts around the globe a riveting conclusion to this tightly contested Test match.
Brief scores: India 46 and 438/6 (Sarfaraz Khan 150, Rishabh Pant 99; William O’Rourke 2-75) lead New Zealand 402 (Rachin Ravindra 134, Devon Conway 91; Ravindra Jadeja 3-72) by 82 runs.