A fiery spell with the second new ball from New Zealand’s fast bowlers sparked a dramatic collapse, sending India from a commanding 408/3 to 462 all out. With Sarfaraz Khan (150) and Rishabh Pant (99) in full flow, India had a prime opportunity to extend their lead and take control of the match. However, the visitors turned the game around by applying relentless pressure with the second new ball, refusing to let India regain their footing. New Zealand now need just 107 runs to claim a memorable victory and take a 1-0 lead in the series.
Starting the day trailing by 125 runs, India would have hoped to avoid losing a wicket in the morning session, and they managed just that. New Zealand began with pace, aiming to get Sarfaraz caught behind, but the 26-year-old was well prepared. In his own style, he used dabs and uppercuts to counter the strategy. When the bowlers changed to targeting the stumps, he responded with flicks and lofted shots, leaving them scratching their heads.
Continuing from where he left off yesterday, Sarfaraz peppered the third man boundary to register his maiden international ton. With pace proving ineffective, Tom Latham swiftly brought on Ajaz Patel, who bowled the first maiden over of the day. Sarfaraz comfortably rotated the strike, leaving Pant to take on the left-arm spin. Conditions were ideal for batting until the tea break, and Pant, having been given a reprieve, made New Zealand pay for it.
Glenn Phillips managed to turn a few deliveries, but he couldn’t find the edge or the stumps. The pitch offered little assistance, remaining flat, and neither batter was inclined to give the visitors any opportunity to get back into the game.
There were a couple of close LBW shouts, along with a minor mix-up between Pant and Sarfaraz, which fortunately didn’t result in anything drastic.
New Zealand found it difficult to mount sustained pressure, managing only two maiden overs out of the 22 bowled in the morning session. This reflected their struggle to contain the Indian batters, although the pitch offered little help. Despite the anticipation that the cracks would cause trouble, they haven’t been as much of a factor, except for a few unpredictable deliveries early on. For the most part, Sarfaraz and Pant were comfortable at the crease. The closest New Zealand came to breaking their stand was a missed run-out chance when Pant was on six.
The bowlers ran out of ideas, resorting to lines and lengths that suited both batters. Even a rain interruption did nothing to disrupt their rhythm, as Sarfaraz and Pant stayed focused and kept pushing India’s lead. Sarfaraz brought up his 150, while Pant was unlucky to miss out on a century by just one run.
The second new ball, however, turned things around for the visitors, as they removed Sarfaraz, Pant, and KL Rahul in quick succession before the tea interval, with Will O’Rourke taking two of those wickets. After the break, Matt Henry wrapped up the tail, limiting India to 462.
Brief scores: India 46 all out (Rishabh Pant 20; Matt Henry 5/15) and 462 all out (Sarfaraz Khan 150, Rishabh Pant 99; Will O’Rourke 3/92) vs New Zealand 402 all out (Rachin Ravindra 134, Devon Conway 91; Ravindra Jadeja 3/72) & 0/0 (Tom Latham 0*, Devon Conway 0*). Stumps, Day 4.