The fourth day of the first Test match between India and New Zealand at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru turned into an emotional rollercoaster for Indian cricket fans. After dominating the initial sessions and crafting a promising lead, India experienced a dramatic collapse in the final phase of their second innings, providing New Zealand with a slightly more manageable target before the skies opened up, forcing an early conclusion to the day’s play.
Resuming the day from a respectable 231/3, Indian batsmen Sarfaraz Khan and Rishabh Pant walked onto the crease, looking to capitalize on their strong overnight position. Sarfaraz put on a sensational display of batting to score his maiden international century, reaching a commendable 150 runs. His innings included a thrilling combination of 18 boundaries and 3 sixes, marking his potential and justifying his place in the team amidst the competition for spots as the Border-Gavaskar Trophy approaches.
Rishabh Pant, on the other hand, made his presence felt by crafting rapid runs, a sight that had been eagerly awaited by fans after he sat out the previous day due to a knee injury. His aggressive playstyle paid dividends, aiding India in not only stabilizing the innings but also widening their lead over the Kiwis. However, when within touching distance of a century, Pant fell heartbreakingly short, dismissed on 99, a dismissal that not only halted his individual momentum but also became a precursor to the collapse that followed.
The match, however, took a decisive turn after the tea break. New Zealand’s pace attack, led by William O’Rourke and Matt Henry, mounted a counter-offensive. O’Rourke, pivotal in shifting the momentum, took the crucial wickets of Pant, KL Rahul, and later Ravindra Jadeja, as the pitch conditions seemingly favored the new ball. His spell triggered a sequence of dismissals, which Matt Henry capitalized on, concluding with three important wickets himself. The Indian innings unraveled rapidly, culminating at 462 runs within 99.
.3 overs, leaving the team with the sense that they had squandered an opportunity to set an imposing total.
The morning, which saw a potential Indian victory on the horizon, evolved into a scenario reminiscent of past last-minute scares. Supporters who were jubilant at lunch found themselves worried by mid-afternoon. Rain played the unpredictable ally to spectators’ hopes, adding to the tension by causing a break in play during the lunch interval. The weather’s intervention served as both a respite and a threat, prolonging the suspense for what lay ahead.
New Zealand’s spirited fight, expertly timed by their bowlers, saw them staving off what could have been an imposing final day challenge. Still, the target of 107 runs remained a contested pursuit as the day’s play ended prematurely due to heavy rain that washed over the stadium, forcing the players off the field and setting the stage for a final day showdown.
The late-day precipitation brought an ironic relief to New Zealand’s camp, as they managed a collective sigh of relief with the potential threat lessened for the time being. The early close provided their strategists additional time to plan tactics on a surface that was expected to further deteriorate, presenting both opportunities and challenges for the batsmen.
As the match moves into its critical final phase on Day 5, spectators around the world are anxious to see whether the Indian bowling attack can perform the miraculous defense of their modest total, or if New Zealand will capitalize on their gains to pull off a significant victory. Each team is keenly aware that one final push will be necessary to tip the scales decisively.
For India, the narrative looming large remains – a chance to redeem themselves from the late-inning self-doubt, driven by underwhelming performances from senior players like KL Rahul. But for the moment, all eyes rest upon the weather and the ground conditions which, as factors all their own, hold the potential to dictate the eventual outcome of this thrilling Test encounter.
