Bengaluru Test: Late Virat Kohli heartbreak pegs India back in pursuit of miracle

India vs New Zealand, 1st Test: Virat Kohli fell for 70 in the final delivery of the day's play after leading a sensational fightback from India. Sarfaraz Khan remained unbeaten on 70, holding India's hopes of saving the Test. New Zealand, earlier in the day, took a 356-run lead in the first innings.

In Short

• India went to Stumps at 231 for 3, binging down the deficit to 125 runs
• Virat Kohli was dismissed for 70 in the final delivery of the day's play
• Rachin Ravindra's hundred helped New Zealand take a 356-run first innings lead

It was a tale of two halves for India on Friday in the Bengaluru Test. After enduring an aggressive display of batting from Rachin Ravindra and Tim Southee, which propelled New Zealand past 400, India mounted a spirited fightback. In more favourable batting conditions, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Sarfaraz Khan led India's charge in their second innings, igniting hopes of a miraculous turnaround in the Garden City. | IND vs NZ, 1st Test Scorecard |

Despite conceding a massive 356-run lead in the first innings, India reduced the deficit to 125 runs by the end of Day 3. They were 231 for 3 at stumps.

Bengaluru Test, Day 3 Highlights

The mood at the close of play was bittersweet as Virat Kohli fell for 70 on the final delivery of the day. Glenn Phillips managed to induce a faint edge, caught by the wicketkeeper. Uncertain if he had actually edged it, Kohli immediately called for a review. The entire Chinnaswamy Stadium waited in restless anticipation as the replays played out. When the snickometer confirmed the edge with a spike, a collective sigh of disappointment swept through the crowd. Even captain Rohit Sharma, watching from the dressing room, shook his head in frustration.

Although Kohli’s dismissal at the stroke of stumps was a blow, India would still be content with reaching 231 for three wickets, especially after the disastrous first innings.

However, the 136-run stand, which came in just 163 deliveries, helped India dream of at least saving the Test. Scoring at nearly five runs per over in the second innings, India ensured that the weekend crowd at M Chinnaswamy Stadium could return with the hope of witnessing a thrilling finish. Sarfaraz Khan remained unbeaten on 70.

ROHIT SHARMA SETS THE TONE

India’s first innings was disastrous, as they were bowled out for a paltry 46, their lowest Test total at home, due to questionable tactics and poor shot selection. However, they displayed far more determination and respect for the conditions in their second outing, batting within the span of two days in Bengaluru. In these more conducive circumstances, India demonstrated why they should never be written off, even with the odds heavily stacked against them.

When Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal walked out to bat in the afternoon session, India trailed by 356 runs. The dressing room was understandably subdued after their bowlers were put to the sword by Southee and Rachin earlier in the day. A great deal hinged on the body language and approach of Rohit and Yashasvi, as the Indian camp watched anxiously for the start of the second innings.

To the relief of the team and the thousands of supporters who came to back the home side, the skipper and his young opening partner set a positive tone for the rest of the day. It seemed as though India had put their dismal 46-all-out behind them, batting with a proactive mindset. They weren’t just focused on survival; they moved the scoreboard along at a brisk pace.

Yashasvi Jaiswal threw it away, much to the disappointment of captain Rohit Sharma after a 72-run opening partnership. Batting on 35, the left-hander went down the track to hit Ajaz Patel into the orbit. However, Yashasvi was stumped after the ball held its line and beat his outside edge.

Virat Kohli walked out to bat at No. 3 once again and this time he did not disappoint. The former captain looked tentative at the start of the innings, but he grew in confidence as he spent time in the middle.

Rohit Sharma looked determined to make amends for the rash shot in the first innings. The India captain hit eight boundaries and a six in a fluent knock. However, in the 22nd over, he defended a harmless delivery from left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel when the ball rolled back and hit the stumps.

Rohit was not able to believe his luck as he did most things right and still ended up losing his wicket. Rohit spent a few seconds in the middle, wondering what went wrong, before slowly walking back to the pavilion.

Rohit's dismissal did not dent the mood in the Bengaluru crowd as Sarfaraz Khan went after the New Zealand bowling attack.

SARFARAZ KHAN SHOW

The focus quickly shifted to Sarfaraz as he became the dominant partner in his stand with Virat Kohli. New Zealand fast bowlers tried targetting the Mumbai batter with short balls, but he effortlessly played ramp and scoop shots to convert them into scoring opportunities.

Both Kohli and Sarfaraz kept the scoreboard moving at a brisk pace, putting the pressure back on the New Zealand bowlers.

Virat Kohli, during the course of his first Test fifty of 2024, became the fourth Indian batter to complete 9,000 runs in the traditional format. Sarfaraz, meanwhile, brought up his fourth Test fifty and remained unbeaten.

It was an anti-climax for India as they lost Virat Kohli in the final delivery of the day's play. However, with the likes of KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin waiting in the wings, India would be hopeful of avoiding what looked certain after they were bowled out for 46.