In a formidable display of skill and temperament, Rachin Ravindra notched his second Test century, placing New Zealand in a commanding position on the third day of the first Test against India in Bengaluru. Ravindra’s unbeaten knock of 104 from 125 deliveries exemplified the perfect counterattack needed by the visitors, following a tumultuous start to the day that threatened to stifle New Zealand’s first innings lead.
The morning session was initially dominated by India. Fast bowlers Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah made early breakthroughs, each picking up a wicket within the first half-hour. This momentum was carried forward by spinner Ravindra Jadeja, who delivered a couple of crucial blows that appeared to tilt the balance in India’s favor, reducing New Zealand from a steady 193/3 to a precarious 233/7. At this juncture, India seemed poised for a quick wrap-up, eyeing a chance to mount a substantial fightback.
However, Ravindra and Tim Southee had different plans. The duo, with a formidable partnership, added 112 undefeated runs that not only arrested India’s charge but also broadened New Zealand’s lead significantly. Ravindra, shouldering the majority of the scoring duties, showcased his proficiency against spinners, adeptly utilizing both his footwork and crease placement to negate the Indian spin attack.
In a particularly aggressive phase of his innings, Ravindra took special liking to Ravichandran Ashwin. The experienced offspinner, who is usually a thorn in the side of opposition batsmen, appeared subdued as Ravindra broke loose, effortlessly crafting boundaries and sixes off both Ashwin and Jadeja. One over from Ashwin became especially costly, as Ravindra and Southee plundered 20 runs, effectively diminishing India’s earlier accomplishments.
While Ravindra excelled with the bat, the Indian bowlers failed to maintain their initial composure. Their over-zealous attempts to expedite New Zealand’s innings led to inconsistency and subsequently missed opportunities to break the eighth-wicket partnership.
. Among the spinners, Jadeja indeed posed questions, even troubling Ravindra at times, but there were no breakthroughs that the Indian team desperately sought.
As the session wore on, Ravindra’s leadership with the bat not only negated India’s advantage from the first hour but also set a robust platform for New Zealand. The partnership with Southee was pivotal, as it effectively extended the visitor’s total to 345/7. With the pitch expected to deteriorate over the next two days, New Zealand holds a substantial advantage with a lead of 299 runs, amplifying their hopes of setting a target that would be increasingly challenging for India to chase.
Ravindra’s masterclass came under intense pressure but he handled each challenge with maturity beyond his years. His confidence in pacing the innings and his strategic offense pushed India’s bowlers to a corner, extracting errors and capitalizing on every opportunity to score. Southee’s quiet resilience at the other end ensured that Ravindra had the freedom to featherfoot his innings—a tactic that New Zealand might rely upon in the remainder of the series.
For India, despite the early inroads made by Siraj and Bumrah, the day resulted in a missed opportunity to take control of the game. The team will need to reassess and regroup quickly if they are to mount a successful comeback. With New Zealand having gained a strong foothold, India’s batsmen will be tasked with a formidable challenge of countering both the New Zealand attack and the rigors of a deteriorating wicket.
Brief scores: India stands at 46, courtesy of the incisive bowling by Matt Henry (5-15) and William O’Rourke (4-22), trailing New Zealand’s impressive total of 345/7. Rachin Ravindra remained unbeaten on 104, supported by Devon Conway’s 91, and fortifying New Zealand’s lead to a daunting 299 runs. Jadeja’s 3-72 embodies another significant effort in India’s bowling front, albeit overshadowed by New Zealand’s resolute batting efforts.