Deep third-man is a lonely corner in Test cricket, when it comes to fast bowling. Very few target this area, unless specifically equipped and inclined. For a long stretch on Day 4 of the first Test against New Zealand, Sarfaraz Khan made it the most-travelled place for the ball.
Rishabh Pant was responsible for absurdity of another kind. In great discomfort due to a knock on a troublesome part of the right knee, he partnered his Under-19 World Cup teammate from the 2016 batch in hauling India back from despair. The flow of fours and sixes was stronger than in some of the streams formed in the Church Street area on a packed and wet Saturday night.
Out of ideas after the morning heist in the first innings and facing a different beast on practically the third day of the match, New Zealand were rattled. Trailing by 356 runs in the first innings and starting the day 125 runs behind, Sarfaraz and Pant were taking it away in a manic manner. Win was their Plan A and Plan B. From 400/3 after 80 overs, the new ball caused a sharp crash.
Given the position when Sarfaraz and Pant were tormenting the attack in contrasting fashion but with equal punch, India could have got more. That would have set New Zealand more than 107 to win. At one point, a lead of near 200 looked realistic. That’s the difference between a match and a video game. On paper, India were galloping towards one of the most stunning Test wins. The new ball then caused discomfort, like it sometimes does.
It was still one of the most stunning counterattacks seen in a long time. This will to pulverise and choosing attack as the only mode was not short of nervous moments. Sarfaraz was teasing the slips and Pant the bowlers, fielders and umpires. There were referrals and refusals. This led to the bizarre occurrence of a second-innings total which was 10 times the first dig.
It showed how this team approaches Test cricket. Most of the players, at various points in a series featuring many faces, were part of the team which scripted the Australia coup in 2021. Beating Bangladesh in a game reduced to less than two days and-a-half was a recent example of the mindset of this bunch led by Rohit Sharma.
“We were simply planning on playing attacking cricket,” said Sarfaraz. “During a Duleep Trophy game a while back, we had a similar scenario, where we had to counterattack in the second innings. So, that’s what the thought process was. The ball is still cutting in and out. If we get two-three wickets early on, even they could be in a similar situation.”
Teams do not go so fiercely for a win after getting all out for 46 and witnessing the opponent racing to a rapid 100-plus eighth-wicket partnership which opens up a match-winning lead. But there was no alternative. Trying to bat out two days was suicidal. After a foundation laid by the openers and Virat Kohli, Sarfaraz and Pant went for it and came dramatically close to pulling it off.
Irrespective of the outcome, which may not be in favour of India, M Chinnaswamy Stadium has witnessed a classic that will be talked about. It was an indication of how this team wants to play. It wants to win the World Test Championship. This is the ‘high-risk, high return’ brand of cricket that Gautam Gambhir, the coach, was referring to before this Test. Rohit’s team has walked the talk.