India vs New Zealand Highlights 1st Test Day 4: Rain forces stumps, NZ 0/0, need 107 runs to win

India vs New Zealand Highlights 1st Test Day 4

India vs New Zealand Highlights 1st Test Day 4: India posted 462 runs in their second innings, taking a lead of 106 runs vs New Zealand on Day 4 of their ongoing first Test in Bengaluru on Saturday. In the post-Tea session, R Ashwin (15) and Ravindra Jadeja (5) failed to build a partnership, and departed soon. Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah (0) and Mohammed Siraj (0) left for ducks. Kuldeep Yadav remained unbeaten, at 6*. Sarfaraz Khan was dismissed for 150 by Tim Southee in the 85th over. The Mumbaikar slammed 18 fours and three sixes to justify his selection in the team and reduced India from a tricky position. Earlier, Rishabh Pant and Sarfaraz Khan returned in the middle to resume India's fightback after the rain halted the play for almost 3 hours. Sarfaraz Khan scored his maiden Test century and is still going strong as India are putting up a solid fightback here in Bengaluru. Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant, who came out to bat with heavy strapping on his knee, started a bit cautious here but put his foot on the accelerator to score a 55-ball fifty, and then fell for 99.

Sarfaraz Khan, Virat Kohli led India's fightback on Day 3 of the ongoing first Test match against New Zealand, as the hosts posted 231/3 at Stumps. India trail by 125 runs, but the match doesn't seem bleak anymore. New Zealand posted 402 in their first innings, taking a lead of 336 runs.

Rohit Sharma (52) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (35) gave India a strong start, but lost their wickets to Ajaz Patel. Then, Virat Kohli and Sarfaraz Khan led India's fightback, with the former losing his wicket in the last ball. Kohli departed for 70 off 102 balls. Meanwhile, Sarfaraz remained unbeaten at 70* off 78 deliveries.

Kohli and Sarfaraz also raised a century stand in 101 balls, but the former's wicket could prove to be a turning point in the second innings for India. On Day 4, we could see Pant come first to bat with Sarfaraz as he was padded up on Day 3. After Pant, we could see KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin next in the batting order. The pitch is good for batting and India will hope to get ahead with wickets in hand.

Speaking after the final session on Day 3, New Zealand's Ravindra said, "Was just trying to build partnerships. That partnership with Tim (Southee) really helped me out, the objective was clear and we knew what we needed to do. (On Bengaluru) It’s a little bit comforting although the wicket is completely different, nice knowing the surroundings. It’s a lovely wicket to bat. Not really superstitious. Great to have him (his father) here, it’s his hometown, also have some family here. Great crowd here as well. I actually took the whole booklet (of ticket allocations). Virat is obviously a great player, he punished us but we’ve still got a lot of runs to play with."

Key Highlights of India vs New Zealand 1st Test Day 4-

- India post 462 in 99.3 overs, set 107-run target

- IND post 438/6 in 90.2 overs at Tea, lead by 82 runs

- Rishabh Pant dismissed for 99

- Sarfaraz Khan was dismissed for 150, and he slammed 18 fours and three sixes.

- Rain stopped play in Bengaluru. India 344/3 (S Khan 125*, R Pant 53*) on Day 4, trailed New Zealand (402) by 12 runs.

- Rishabh Pant slammed 55-ball half-century.

- Sarfaraz Khan smashed his maiden Test century off 110 balls.

- Rishabh Pant came out to bat alongside Sarfaraz Khan with his knee heavily strapped.

- Sarfaraz Khan was dismissed right after reaching 150. Soon after, Pant fell for 99, his 7th score in the 90s.

- India were all out for 462, losing their last 7 wickets for just 54 runs.

- New Zealand 0/0 at stumps on Day 4, need 107 runs to win.