Bengaluru: India has given New Zealand a target of 107 runs to win in the fourth innings of the Bengaluru Test. After being all out for 46 runs in the first innings, India batted well in the second innings. Apart from Sarfaraz Khan‘s century, Rishabh Pant, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma scored half-centuries. With this, Team India scored 462 runs. New Zealand had not scored any runs in 4 balls and then the game had to be stopped due to bad light. After some time, rain came and the umpire declared stumps.
Sarfaraz and Pant did unmatched batting
Sarfaraz Khan, playing his fifth Test, started the day with 70 runs. In the first hour of the day, when New Zealand’s fast bowlers were getting help from the pitch, they made excellent use of the late cut. Rishabh Pant, who did not take the field on the third day due to injury, was struggling initially when he came out to bat. But soon after getting set, he started opening his hands. Sarfaraz scored his first century in Test cricket with the help of fours. After getting set, Rishabh Pant also started opening his hands.
Rishabh Pant completed his half-century in 55 balls with a four against Glenn Phillips. Rain then interrupted the match and the match was halted for about two hours, including a 40-minute lunch break. When the game resumed after the rain, Rishabh Pant hit two sixes against left-arm spinner Rachin Ravindra. When Pant adopted an aggressive stance, Sarfaraz started batting cautiously from the other end.
The game changed after the arrival of the new ball
During this period, New Zealand decided to take the new ball after 80 overs of the Indian innings and it proved effective for the team. His fast bowlers troubled Sarfaraz and Pant with swing. Just after completing 150 runs, Sarfaraz Khan was out on the ball of Tim Southee. He hit 18 fours and 3 sixes. At that time India’s score was 408 runs. Rishabh Pant was also moving towards a century but O’Rourke bowled him on the score of 99. Right after this, KL Rahul also got out after scoring 12 runs.
Only 5 runs came off the bat of Ravindra Jadeja. Ashwin played an inning of 15 runs. He was given LBW by Matt Henry. After this, Bumrah and Siraj were out within three balls without opening the account. O’Rourke and Henry dismissed 3-3 Indian batsmen. New Zealand needs 107 runs to win on the last day while India needs 10 wickets.