Bengaluru, Oct 19 (UNI) At lunch on Day 4 of the Test match, India trails New Zealand by just 12 runs, having mounted a remarkable recovery to reach 344/3. After a shaky first innings, India fought back in the morning session, thanks to a gritty 125* from Sarfaraz Khan and a typically flamboyant 53* from Rishabh Pant. Their impressive 113-run stand off just 132 balls has turned the game around, reigniting India’s hopes of a dramatic comeback.
Sarfaraz, playing in only his third Test, displayed remarkable composure under pressure. He toyed with the Kiwi field, dissecting gaps with clinical precision and fearless late dabs that left New Zealand’s bowlers frustrated. His maiden Test century, a sublime back-foot punch through the covers, was met with jubilation both on the field and in the stands.
Pant, on the other hand, was at his audacious best. Smashing boundaries and sixes, he reached his half-century in style, drilling a low full-toss through extra cover to the delight of the Indian fans.
The only moment of concern came when a mix-up between the two almost resulted in a run-out, but the pair survived the scare. With 76 overs left in the day and plenty of batting to come, India is in a strong position to take control of the match.
However, just as India’s momentum was building, the weather intervened. A light drizzle soon turned into a heavy downpour, forcing the players off the field and bringing on the covers. Sarfaraz, clearly delighted with his century, managed a smile as he walked off.
Meanwhile, Virat Kohli and Ravichandran Ashwin could be seen on the balcony, scanning the gloomy skies to assess how long the rain might last. Fortunately, with the state-of-the-art SubAir system in place, the outfield is expected to recover quickly once the rain stops.
Lunch has been taken early, and play is set to resume at 12:00 PM, weather permitting. Until then, all eyes remain on Bengaluru, where India’s resurgence, powered by Sarfaraz’s brilliance and Pant’s fearless strokeplay, has set the stage for what promises to be a gripping afternoon.
Brief scores
New Zealand: 402 all out; India: 46 all out & 344/3 (71 overs); Rishabh Pant 53*, Sarfaraz Khan 125*, Virat Kohli 70; India trail by 12 runs; Overs left: 76; Last 10 overs: 53 runs, 0 wickets lost; Play resumes: 12:00 PM (weather permitting).
