Sarfaraz (150), Pant (99) lead India's fightback; NZ need 107 to win

Sarfaraz Khan struck a majestic 150 while Rishabh Pant made a brisk 99 to lead India's fightback on the fourth day of the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru on Saturday (October 19).

On a rain-hit day, India were all out for 462 in their second innings, setting New Zealand a target of 107. The visitors faced only four balls in their second innings with the score being 0/0 as bad light and later rain forced an early end to the day's play. Tom Latham (0) and Devon Conway (0) were at the crease.

Also read: 46 all out | Rohit 'hurting' after misreading Bengaluru pitch

The last time New Zealand won a Test match in India was way back in 1989 when Sir Richard Hadlee was still an active Test cricketer and got 10 wickets at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai to ensure a huge 136-run win.

Latham's team is on the cusp of history despite a gallant fightback from India.

Sarfaraz's maiden Test ton

Sarfaraz's maiden hundred and Pant's innings offered hope for India, but their dismissals led to a swift decline for the hosts.

Once the second new ball was taken, India lost seven wickets for 54 runs with tall fast bowlers Matt Henry and William O'Rourke getting extra bounce and movement off the M Chinnaswamy Stadium's surface.

After all, India were 52 runs ahead with seven wickets in hand. But Latham taking the new ball on the first available opportunity turned the tide in New Zealand’s favour.

At that point, hopes were high of a miracle triumph similar to Kolkata 2001 with both Sarfaraz and Pant at the crease.

The first one to perish was Sarfaraz, who spooned Tim Southee to Ajaz Patel at covers and Pant followed soon, dragging William O’Rourke (3/92) on to his stumps.

It was his seventh dismissal in the 90s in Test cricket, and he will certainly rue it after doing all the hard work till then.

Henry (3/102), who took five wickets in the first innings, looked pedestrian till then regained his mojo and movement with the new ball, mopped India’s tail with the wickets of Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Siraj, and Jasprit Bumrah.

But before the Blackcaps’ bowlers found some wind in their sails, Sarfaraz and Pant dictated the course of the match like puppet masters.

At tea, India were at 438 for six, holding an 82-run lead. Due to rain, there was a nearly two-hour delay, including a 40-minute lunch break, while India had previously trailed New Zealand by 12 runs in their second innings.

India were all out for just 46 in their first innings, while New Zealand responded with 402.

Brief scores: India 46 & 462 all out in 99.3 overs (Rohit Sharma 52, Virat Kohli 70, Sarfaraz Khan 150, Rishabh Pant 99; Ajaz Patel 2/100, William O'Rourke 3/92, Matt Henry 3/102 ) vs New Zealand 402.