BENGALURU — The third day of the first Test match between cricketing giants India and New Zealand in Bengaluru was a spectacle of runs and wickets, a testament to the unpredictability and thrill of the sport. On this riveting day, a whopping 453 runs were hammered across the ground while 10 wickets fell, leaving spectators at the edge of their seats. As the dust settled, one team stood marginally ahead: New Zealand, firmly gripping the ascendancy. Yet, India refused to shrink into the shadows, displaying a tenacious and spirited second innings performance that infused a breath of excitement into the match.
The Indian squad, batting through 49 overs at a brisk pace of 4.71 runs per over, managed to slash down their daunting first innings deficit of 356 runs to a more manageable 125. Despite having lost the key wicket of Virat Kohli (70) on the last ball of the day, with seven wickets still intact and two entire days of play remaining, India’s prospects in the encounter have blossomed significantly. However, the New Zealand team, energized by the critical dismissal of Kohli, maintains the element of advantage, ensuring the stage remains fraught with intrigue for the coming innings.
Opening with an exhilarating 63-ball 52, Indian captain Rohit Sharma established a pulsating tone for the second innings. Joining forces with Yashasvi Jaiswal (35), the duo constructed a promising 72-run opening partnership. Yet, Jaiswal soon found himself outdone off the pitch while attempting to counter the challenge posed by Ajaz Patel’s adept left-arm spin—a pursuit that proved costly. This pivotal breakthrough triggered another twist in fortunes as Sharma, midway through a seamless play, unwittingly nudged a bottom-edge delivery that drifted to kiss the stumps. It unfolded in a twist of sporting drama that left him and the crowd equally confounded, propelling a surge of momentum through the New Zealand side.
Unfazed by the unfolding pressure, India steadfastly retained its zeal, propelled further by an audacious arrival at the crease from Sarfaraz Khan. With determination etched across his demeanor, Khan unleashed a barrage of striking hits, particularly vindictive towards the spinners, reserving a barrage of slog-sweeps and deft late-cuts for Ajaz Patel. Upon confronting pace, Khan exhibited equally bold strokes, not hesitating to loft an audacious upper-cut over deep backward point for a resounding six.
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Meanwhile, Kohli, showcasing his mastery against spin, complemented Sarfaraz’s belligerence with eloquent strokeplay, propelling the score to higher echelons. The formidable tandem amassed an electrifying 136-run partnership that, to the discontent of New Zealand, appeared set to see through the day. Yet cricket, always a game of uncertainties, tilted fortune’s favor once again. Glenn Phillips, weaving a spell with the ball, conjured an opportunity against Kohli just overs shy of the day’s closure, only for Ajaz name at first slip to squander it. However, persistence bore fruit, as Phillips eventually triumphed in prising the wicket of Kohli, gifting New Zealand moments of glee to end the day.
Regardless of India’s spirited retaliation with the bat, the day harbored acclaim for Rachin Ravindra. Compiled with finesse and unflinching consistency, Ravindra’s sublime knock of 134 underscored New Zealand’s dominance, erecting a formidable first-innings total. Channeling the momentum seized from a successful Sri Lanka tour, Ravindra confidently dismantled both spin and pace strategies with equal ease. As wickets crumbled around him, Ravindra alongside Tim Southee (65) thwarted India’s endeavours to rapidly dismiss the visiting batsmen in the morning thrall. Despite valiant spells from Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Ravindra Jadeja, once Ravindra and Southee mounted their offensive, India’s attempts were met with stern resolve.
Ravindra played without offering much room for error, with India’s solitary tangible chance emerging at his 110-run mark. However, India elected not to review a close LBW call off Kuldeep Yadav’s delivery, a moment they may rue. In its wake, Ravindra piled on an additional 24 runs, steering New Zealand’s charge to accumulate 169 runs with their final trio of wickets standing, casting an imposing 356-run trail for India. Nevertheless, with a determined grit, India have entrenched themselves back into contention, optimistic for more fruitful outputs had Kohli endured till stumps. As the Test enters its fourth day, cricket lovers are poised for a pulsating continuation of this engrossing saga.
**Brief scores:** India 46 and 231/3 (Sarfaraz Khan 70*, Virat Kohli 70, Rohit Sharma 52; Ajaz Patel 2-70) trail New Zealand 402 (Rachin Ravindra 134, Devon Conway 91; Ravindra Jadeja 3-72) by 125 runs.