October 19, 2024: On Day 4 of the first Test between India and New Zealand at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, rain interrupted India’s dominant session just before lunch.
The hosts had mounted a strong comeback, reaching 344/3, with Sarfaraz Khan and Rishabh Pant leading the charge. Sarfaraz was unbeaten on 125 off 154 balls.
Pant played a brisk knock of 53 from 56 balls. The deficit was reduced to just 12 runs when rain halted play.
After losing Virat Kohli late on Day 3 to Glenn Phillips, India began Day 4 with the daunting task of overcoming a 125-run deficit. Under overcast skies, Sarfaraz Khan and Pant took control, punishing the New Zealand bowlers from the outset. Sarfaraz, in particular, played with aggression, quickly cutting into the deficit by targeting pacer William O’Rourke for boundaries early on. His century, completed with a single, was celebrated with great passion as he punched the air in triumph.
New Zealand’s bowlers, especially the pacers, struggled to contain the pair, prompting skipper Tom Latham to bring in spinners to stem the flow of runs. However, this strategy also failed to trouble the duo. While Sarfaraz relied on late cuts and consistent fours, Pant entertained the crowd by launching a few big hits into the stands. Pant soon reached his 18th Test fifty, solidifying India’s position.
With the trail reduced to just 12 runs and India’s momentum peaking, rain interrupted play, and lunch was declared with a couple of overs left in the session.
The match is finely balanced, with India poised to erase the deficit, setting up a thrilling finish heading into the final session of the day.
