India vs New Zealand 1st Test Day India vs New Zealand 1st Test Day 4: New Zealand fought back in the first Test at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. IND all-out for 462 in second inning setting 107 target for NZ. Sarfaraz Khan and Rishabh Pant gave India a strong start on Day 4. They added 177 runs for the fourth wicket, helping India recover. Sarfaraz scored his first Test century and reached 150 before Tim Southee dismissed him. Pant started the day with Sarfaraz, but was out for 99 after hitting a 107-meter six. He was bowled by William O’Rourke, who also got KL Rahul out for 12.
India’s lower order, including Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin, couldn’t add much to the score. Rain interrupted the game for a while, reducing play by 24 overs. India had already lost Virat Kohli at the end of Day 3, leaving Sarfaraz to carry the innings, which he did well.
India suffered a collapse, losing seven wickets for just 54 runs in their second innings, eventually being bowled out for 462 in 99.3 overs. New For New Zealand William O’Rourke and Matt Henry each took three wickets.
New Zealand’s bowlers had dominated India’s first innings, bowling them out for just 46. In reply, New Zealand scored 402 runs and took a lead of 356. Rachin Ravindra hit a century, Devon Conway scored 91, and Southee made a half-century.
Interesting Facts
- This is first time ever, seven different Indian batsmans scored duck in a home Test match. ( First inning: Virat Kohli, Sarfraz Khan , KL Rahul, Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin , Second Inning: Jaspreet Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj. )
- lowest target ever defended successfully in a Test by India is 107 against Australia at the Wankhede in 2004.
Summary : India vs New Zealand 1st Test Day 4
It’s been a thrilling Test match so far. India’s top-order showed some real class with the bat, but the lower middle-order and tail couldn’t handle the second new ball. They lost their last seven wickets for just 54 runs. William O’Rourke played a key role, making the ball do wonders after Southee had already caused trouble, dismissing the brilliant Sarfaraz. The turning point came when O’Rourke got Pant out on the very first ball of his spell with the new ball. Once those two were gone, it felt like India was in serious trouble, and the rest of the batting lineup just couldn’t hold on.
Even with Sarfaraz and Pant’s impressive innings, India could end up second in this match. Tomorrow, they need to make 107 runs feel like 250 or more to stand a chance. While New Zealand has the upper hand, the pitch still offers some help to the pacers, and spin could come into play as well. Interestingly, India’s lowest-ever successful target defense in a Test was 107 against Australia at the Wankhede back in 2004.
Also read: New Zealand reach the final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024.
