Sarfaraz Khan fumed at Rishabh Pant, Rohit Sharma and R Ashwin, stunned as New Zealand missed the run-out chance. Regard

After two disappointing days of cricket, the Indian team finally looked confident as Sarfaraz Khan and Rishabh Pant played with positive intent on day four of the first Test against India in Bengaluru. After losing the first day due to rain, India were bowled out for just 46 in the first innings. They then conceded a 356-run lead as New Zealand scored 402 in the first innings. Despite reaching 231 on the third day, India lost a well-set Virat Kohli on the last ball. All eyes were on the first session of the fourth day and Rishabh Pant and Sarfaraz Khan did not disappoint.

Sarfaraz scored his maiden Test ton and secured an unbeaten 50-plus stand in the first session with Pant. However, the partnership would have ended prematurely due to a massive mix-up in the middle. Sarfaraz was absolutely furious as he tried to stop Pant from scoring a second run, with New Zealand wicketkeeper Tum Blundell standing very close to the stumps with the ball in his hand. India captain Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin looked stunned by what was happening in the middle. Then they also started laughing, after all this situation ended well for India.

https://t.co/ThCCxMp1yD pic.twitter.com/ymjEvBO0b4

– mon (@4sacinom) October 19, 2024

Rishabh Bhai, running away is the last thing we need, brother.

Sarfaraz bounces also distracted the wicket-keeper.#INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/p6t9ZVkI0r

– Ankit (@2dPointtt) October 19, 2024

The missed pants survive
Sarfaraz jumps at the end of the non-striker no
Blundel made the mistake pic.twitter.com/SxbqibKxFP

– scion_artvt (@scion_artvt) October 19, 2024

ALL INDIA RESPONSE TO SARFARAZ RISHABH RUN CHANCE #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/ImFtIck1sp

– Wasi (@WasiTheBoi) October 19, 2024

On the third day of the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru, India trailed by 125 runs after Virat Kohli's late dismissal. Kuldeep Yadav, reflecting on the day's match, acknowledged the challenges of controlling the pace on a pitch that offered little support to the spinners. In response to India's first innings score of 46, New Zealand amassed 402 runs, helped by an outstanding century from Rachin Ravindra and a counterattack half-century from Tim Southee.

The day ended with Kohli being dismissed for 70 by Glenn Phillips, breaking a crucial 136-run partnership with Sarfaraz Khan. Reflecting on the strategy for Day 4, Kuldeep emphasized the importance of a session-specific approach.

“It’s difficult to control the runs here. There were hardly any turns yesterday, possibly because the pitch was a bit damp. Without significant curves or rough patches, especially on this surface with its short boundaries, even good balls can be scored,” Kuldeep said at the post-day press conference.

“We thank New Zealand, they fought really well. We have to do well tomorrow. We got off to a good start today but we're still 125 runs behind. We have to take it session by session,” he added.

With ANI inputs