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India-New Zealand Test: Rain halts stellar fightback by Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant

Sarafaraz Khan brought up his miden Test century, and is unbeaten on 125, with solid support from Rishabh Pant, who came out to bat despite a knee injury, and is batting on 53

Web Desk Updated: October 19, 2024 13:18 IST
Sarfaraz Khan and Rishabh Pant walk off the field as rain stops play during the fourth day of the first Test match between India and New Zealand at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, in Bengaluru | PTI

Rain proved to be a spoiler again for India in the ongoing Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru, as a strong fightback led by Sarfaraz Khan and Rishabh Pant had to be paused because of showers.

Early lunch was taken, with India at 344/3—trailing by 12 runs—on day 4. Khan was batting on 125 and Pant on 53, before rain interrupted the match.

With the first day washed out, and India bowled out for 46 in the first innings and the Kiwis scoring 402, the match seemed to be going in the visitors' favour. But Indian batters rose to the occasion in the second innings. Skipper Rohit Sharma, who made just two in the first innings, led the way with a breezy 52, ably supported by fellow opener Yashasvi Jaiswal (35).

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Khan and Virat Kohli (70) then took the fight to the opposition, putting on 136 runs for the third wicket. Though Kohli, who completed 9,000 Test runs in the process, was dismissed off the last ball of day 3, he and Khan had managed to reduce the deficit to 125. It was Kohli's first Test half-century this year, and 31st in whites.

Day 4 belonged to Khan, who picked up from where he had left off to bring up his maiden Test century. Playing in only his fifth Test, the Mumbai youngster used late cuts and sweeps to good effect, dashing all Kiwi hopes of an early breakthrough. Khan put on 113 runs for the fourth wicket with Pant, who had hurt his right knee while keeping wickets on day 2 and did not take the field yesterday, but came out fighting with the bat. Pant's 56-ball knock had five fours and three sixes.

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The gritty partnership had raised hopes of an unlikely win, with more than a day and a half to go in the Test. The largest deficit India has overturned to win a Test is 274 during the epic Test in 2001 against Australia at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

But, with more rain forecasted today, and drizzle still continuing at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, a result seems unlikely now, barring a miracle, either from the weather gods or from one of the teams.

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