New Zealand's nose ahead with last ball wicket as India looks to continue fight back

 

Virat Kohli & Sarfaraz Khan during 136 runs partnership (PC: BCCI)

It was the day of mixed emotions for Indian fans on Day 3 of the first test between India and New Zealand. India took the field being 134 runs behind already and required some quick wickets to come back in the match. Indian bowlers responded really well with Siraj taking first wicket of the day sending back Daryll Mitchell for the individual score of 18 followed by Bumrah who took the wicket of Tom Blundell who managed to score just 5 runs. Then came Ravindra Jadeja who cleaned up both Glenn Phillips and Matt Henry. From the score of 193/3, India reduced New Zealand to 233/7 but little did they know that the New Zealand pacer Tim Southee with well settled Rachin Ravindra would erase all the expectations of restricting the lead to just around 200 as both batsmen stitched 137 runs partnership and took New Zealand's lead well past 300.

Rachin Ravindra brough up his second test century during the partnership with Southee and showed his class once again in front of India’s spectators. He was finally dismissed at the score of 134 runs by Kuldeep Yadav but not before putting New Zealand in a commanding position. out. It didn't take long thereafter, and bowlers bowled New Zealand out for 402 runs. Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja took 3 wickets each while Siraj took 2 wickets. Bumrah and Ashwin took a wicket each.

In reply, Indian openers responded well by showing balanced approach and not going in their conservative shell. Rohit and Jaiswal were going good scoring 72 runs and were set to pile more runs before Jaiswal thrown away the start in the 18^th over of second innings stepping down to Ajaz Patel and missing the ball which he expected to turn in and getting stumped giving New Zealand the window to step in again. Jaiswal was dismissed for 35 runs making way for the run machine Virat Kohli who was again sent at No. 3 making the statement that No. 3 slot in the first innings was not a mere experiment in the order.

Rohit Sharma looked solid and was beginning to attack the opposition. The vintage drive off the ball of Matt Henry then the pull for six and then again pull shot for four runs bringing up his 50 was the statement by Indian captain that he is not going to die wondering. At the individual score of 52 runs, Rohit ran out of luck as the defense off Ajaz Patel ball spun back to disturb the bails and no one there at the stadium could believe the luck. From there on, Sarfaraz Khan joined hands with Virat Kohli and both batsmen were positive in their approach especially Sarfaraz Khan. He took the attack to the opposition and ensured that the deficit was coming down at a good rate. Both Kohli and Sarfaraz brought their respective half centuries and led Indian fight back.

Just when it looked that India is going to take slight advantage at the end of day’s play, another heart break was waiting for Indian fans and team India. On the last ball of the day, Glenn Phillips’ ball took the slightest edge when Kohli was looking to defense and was given out. He took the DRS, but ultra edge showed that there was a slight nick and New Zealand were cook-a-hoop as they got the biggest fish in the form of Virat Kohli who looked settled and was looking at his supreme best to post a big score bringing the game right in the balance once again.

As of now, New Zealand would feel they are slightly ahead as the new batsman will take the crease tomorrow with Sarfaraz Khan and with Pant’s fitness due to his sore knees in question, the upcoming batsmen will have to contribute heavily. The fourth innings on this pitch will be tricky as spinners will be in the game and with India playing three spinners, any target above 200 will be tricky to chase. But for that India will have to stitch partnerships and take it session by session as the deficit is still 125 runs and lot of work is to be done tomorrow. Anything can happen in the fourth innings and Rohit & Co will take heart from that.