Rain and bad light decided to play spoilsport at probably a crucial juncture for India cricket team on Day 4 as play was forced to end early just as New Zealand began their run-chase. The fate of the IND vs NZ 1st Test in Bengaluru lies in the hands of Day 5, with the visitors needing 107 runs to win the game. Thanks to Sarfaraz Khan and Rishabh Pant, India managed to scale the mammoth lead taken the Kiwis in their 1st innings and set a fighting target.
Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant sizzle in IND vs NZ 1st Test
Sarfaraz Khan and Rishabh Pant entertained the fans at the M Chinnaswamy stadium thoroughly on Day 4. Resuming the play for India, both the batters stitched together a 177-run partnership that saw the duo dominate the Kiwi bowlers for nearly two complete sessions. While Safaraz made the most of his opportunity on being named in the XI with a blistering 150-run knock, Pant narrowly missed out on his seventh Test century after being dismissed on 99, the seventh time he hasn’t survived the nervous nineties.
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After going wicketless for nearly two sessions, New Zealand managed to find their way back into the game following the departure of Sarfaraz and Pant. The rest of the Indian middle-order and tail end collapsed, however, much unlike what happened in the 1st innings. Jadeja (5). Rahul (12) and Ashwin (15) failed to fire as the New Zealand bowlers struck at regular intervals. 1st innings heroes Matt Henry and William O’Rourke ended the innings with three wickets each, once again playing a vital role in dismantling the Indian batting order.
Bad light, rain forces early stop of play on Day 4
Unfortunate for India, the play was forced to be stopped early, firstly due to bad light and then an early stumps was called as heavy rain pelted down at the Chinnaswamy stadium. While the New Zealand batters were the first to walk off the field, Rohit Sharma was quite unhappy about walking off and was seen having an animated conversation with the umpie. He was joined by Virat Kohli and the rest of the team as well. However, the players soon made their way back to the pavilion as the rain grew heavier, forcing the ground staff to rush out to cover the ground entirely.
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