India faced a late collapse on Day 4 despite a spirited effort from Sarfaraz Khan and Rishabh Pant on a wet day that had been halted due to bad light once play had commenced. New Zealand were just starting their chase when the rain returned. New Zealand just need 107 runs to win the first Test on Indian soil since 1988. A thrilling 177-run stand between Sarfaraz Khan and Rishabh Pant gave everyone the thrill of hope. To his maiden Test hundred, Sarfaraz struck 150 off 195 balls, but Pant returned with a score of 99 as he unluckily got out. Sarfaraz hit 18 boundaries and three sixes in his counter-attacking cricket after being off to a shaky start. So did Pant, who hit nine fours and five sixes in his aggressive knock.
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Sarfaraz Khan & Rishabh Pant’s Efforts In Vain?
However, the pivotal situation turned only in the direction of New Zealand when the visitors took the second new ball just before tea. Tim Southee’s piercing bowling further fractured a crucial partnership as Sarfaraz Khan was caught after his brilliant 150. The wrack continues to get worse as Will O’Rourke, who has troubled India all through, sent Pant back to the dressing room in the 89th over igniting a dramatic collapse. From a promising position at 344-3, India went on to lose seven wickets for just 54 runs, O’Rourke and Matt Henry each taking three wickets to dismantle the tail. O’Rourke’s 3-92 included important wickets such as KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja, while Henry’s 3-102 made up the tail, leaving India all out for 462 in 99.3 overs.
India Headed Towards Defeat
Former Indian cricketer Ajay Jadeja was skeptical of an India comeback after the collapse; he felt that in the relatively modest chase, New Zealand could be favorites unless third seamer is managed in the line-up.
“If it happens at 107, it’s great. However, if I see it realistically, I don’t see any hope because it will be moist and you will start with seam in the morning. Even if you get one or two out, you don’t have a third seamer if there is help for seam,” Jadeja said on JioCinema.
