Test Updates: Rain ends play early; NZ need 107 to win

Sat, 19 October 2024

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17:05

NZ need 107 to win Bengaluru Test

NZ 0-0 (0.4 ov); Target to win: 107 | Scorecard

It is now raining heavily in Bengaluru as play is called off for the day.

New Zealand managed to survive the four balls sent down by Bumrah. They need another 107 runs for victory.

India were bowled out for 462 in their second innings, setting New Zealand a victory target of 107.

Sarfaraz Khan top-scored for India in their second innings with 150 while Rishabh Pant made 99.

William O'Rourke took 3/92 while Matt Henry bagged 3/102 for the tourists, who can seal their first victory against India in the country since 1988.

India lost their last seven wickets for 62 runs against the second new ball as the Kiwi pacers put their team on course for victory.

16:53

Bad light stops play on Day 4

NZ 0-0 (0.4 ov); Target to win: 107 | Scorecard

Devon Conway and Tom Latham are the two openers for New Zealand, who will look to play out the new ball.

Jasprit Bumrah with the new ball. The first ball swings quite a lot as Latham leaves and substitute Dhruv Jurel dives to his right to stop it.

Pant has not taken the field as again Jurel keeps wickets.

Latham leaves the next ball before he is struck on the pads. Bumrah quite confident but the umpire is unmoved. He is very confident and nearly orders Rohit to take the DRS.

The ball has pitched outside the line of leg stump as the review is lost. Umpire Michael Gough once again gets it right.

The next ball is down the leg side as Jurel dives to his right to stop the ball.

It has gone quite dark as the floodlights take full effect at the M Chinnaswamy stadium.

The umpires take the players off the field for bad light. India captain Rohit is not happy with the ruling but umpires Paul Reiffel and Michael Gough are having none of it.

Play is stopped due to bad light.

16:42

India bowled out for 462

Matt Henry celebrates the wicket of Ravichandran Ashwin.

India 462-all out (99.3 ovs) & 46 vs NZ 402 | Scorecard

Kuldeep shows intent as he swings O'Rourke over midwicket for a couple of runs before he makes room but is beaten on the outside edge.

The left-hander drives a full delivery through the covers for two runs before he ducks under the short ball.

Henry strikes again as he gets Jasprit Bumrah caught behind for a duck.

Mohammed Siraj falls two balls later as he pulls it straight to Southee at midwicket.

India are bowled out for 462 in 99.3 overs, leaving New Zealand to chase 107 to win the first Test.

The new ball did the trick for the Kiwis as India lost seven wickets for 54 runs.

O'Rourke started New Zealand's fightback, picking up three key wickets without conceding a run and Henry cleaned up the tail.

New Zealand suffered a lot in the morning session but they stormed back after taking the new ball.

16:29

Ashwin out for 15; India 8 down

India 458-8 (98 ovs) & 46 vs NZ 402 | Scorecard

Henry from the other end as Kuldeep manages to nudge the first ball on to the leg side for a single.

Ashwin misses the glance as Blundell dives to his left and stops the ball.

The next ball stays low and strikes Ashwin right in front as he is ruled out leg before wicket.

He takes the DRS immediately. Ashwin was right back in his crease and the ball has struck in line and going on to clip the top of the stumps as the decision stays with umpire's call.

A key wicket for the Kiwis as India's hopes of growing the lead take a big blow.

Jasprit Bumrah carefully keeps out the first two balls before he is beaten last ball by one which swings away to go past the edge.

16:22

India's lead goes past 100

India 457-7 (97 ovs) & 46 vs NZ 402 | Scorecard

Kuldeep has his task cut out as he has to hold one end up while Ashwin looks for the runs from the other end.

He watchfully plays out a maiden over from Henry.

O'Rourke bowling short to Ashwin, who is attempting to loft pitched up.

He is beaten trying to uppercut the short wide delivery as the bowler gets a some extra bounce.

O'Rourke bowls a full toss as Ashwin clips it to deep midwicket for a couple of runs.

Ashwin takes a single on the off-side as the lead touches the 100-run mark and Kuldeep takes one off the last ball to retain strike.

16:13

O'Rourke's triple strike rocks India

Will O'Rourke celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of Ravindra Jadeja

India 453-7 (95 ovs) & 46 vs NZ 402 | Scorecard

Ashwin lofts Henry's second ball over mid-off for a couple of runs. He is struck on the pads by the full incoming delivery as he takes a leg bye.

Kuldeep is beaten on the outside edge as he looks to drive the full delivery and the left-hander plays and misses again two balls later.

O'Rourke concedes a run after 20 dot balls as Ashwin punches the pacer through the covers for two runs.

A high bouncer which sails over Ashwin is ruled a wide for height before the right-hander flicks the fourth ball over midwicket for two runs.

Ashwin plays a superb lofted shot off the next, hitting it straight back over the bowler's head for a four, to take India past 450.

O'Rourke misses the yorker as it slips down the leg side and Blundell does well to stop the ball with a lunge to his left.

16:04

Jadeja out for 5

India 441-7 (93 ovs) & 46 vs NZ 402 | Scorecard

Matt Henry from the other end. Jadeja clips the second ball past square leg for two runs and Ashwin flicks the fourth ball through midwicket for two runs to get off the mark.

O'Rourke continues to chip away at the wickets. He claims his third wicket as Jadeja pulls the short ball straight into the hands of Will Young at midwicket.

Jadeja falls for five as India are reduced to 441/7, for an overall lead of 85 runs.

India have lost four wickets for 35 runs as New Zealand bounce back through O'Rourke's triple strike.

Kuldeep Yadav watchfully keeps out the rest of the over as O'Rourke bowls his third wicket maiden in a row.

15:54

Rahul out for 12; India lose 6th wkt

India 438-6 (91 ovs) & 46 vs NZ 402 | Scorecard

Ravichandran Ashwin, the new batter, takes strike after the tea break. He pushes the first ball he faces on the leg side before he avoids the short ball.

He looks to loft the last ball but fails to get hold of the shot as it just clears the umpire falls short of the fielder charging in from mid-on.

A wicket maiden for O'Rourke, who has taken 2/75 in 17 overs.

15:32

Sarfaraz out for 150, Pant falls for 99

William O'Rourke celebrates the wicket of Rishabh Pant.

India 438-6 (90.2 ovs) & 46 vs NZ 402 | Scorecard

Henry continues from the other end as Rahul takes a risky single to midwicket. Jadeja plays a cracking straight drive for a boundary past mid-off to get off the mark.

The next ball comes in as Jadeja misjudges the line and is struck on the pads but the impact is too high.

O'Rourke strikes another crucial blow to lift New Zealand's hopes. He bowls a beauty to get rid of Rahul, extracting some extra bounce to take the edge and get the right-hander caught behind for 12.

India are reduced to 438/6 in 90.2 overs at the tea break on Day 4, for an overall lead of 82 runs.

New Zealand staged a late fightback, taking three wickets for 30 runs in the space of 37 balls.

15:24

Crowd silenced! Pant out for 99...

India 433-5 (89 ovs) & 46 vs NZ 402 | Scorecard

The Rishabh Pant six which went out of the ground was measured a massive 107m.

Rahul also looks in good touch. He plays a beautiful straight drive off a full delivery from Henry for a boundary past mid-on.

Rahul takes a single on the off-side before Pant picks one through midwicket to take his score to 99.

O'Rourke replaces Southee. He strikes with the first ball of his new spell as Pant ends up dragging the ball on to the stumps.

Heartbreak for Pant as he is dismissed for 99, missing out on a deserved century.

Pant walks back to a huge ovation as he entertained during his 105-ball knock, which included five sixes and nine fours.

The ball bounced a bit more than expected as Pant looking to get on top of the bounce ended up deflecting it back to the stumps.

Ravindra Jadeja at No 7 watchfully keeps out the rest of the over.

15:11

Sarfaraz out for 150; India 4 down

India 426-4 (87 ovs) & 46 vs NZ 402 | Scorecard

Rahul gets off the mark as he steers the wide delivery from Henry past the slips for a four to get off the mark.

He comes down the track to push the pacer in the gap through the covers for a couple of runs.

In the next over, Southee bowls it down the leg side to Pant, who misses the glance and Tom Blundell dives across but can't stop the ball to concede four byes.

Southee from wide of the crease bowls full as Pant swings it high and sends it flying out of the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, to close in on his century.

He drives the next ball through the covers for a single as he is unable to complete the second. He seems to be feeling some pain in his knee and is limping around and Rahul keeps out the last two balls.

15:02

Sarfaraz out for 150; India 4 down

Sarfaraz Khan celebrates after completing 150.

India 408-4 (85 ovs) & 46 vs NZ 402 | Scorecard

Finally some relief for New Zealand. Sarfaraz looks to hit Southee over the top but is caught in the covers after a magnificent knock of 150 from 194 balls, which included 18 fours and three sixes.

He put on 177 runs from 211 balls for the fourth wicket to give India hopes of pulling off an unbelievable win.

A crucial breakthrough for New Zealand which they will hope dent India's charge.

They will look to make the new ball count and pick up another wicket or two.

K L Rahul, who fell for a duck in the first innings, defends the first ball which swings into him followed by another defensive shot.

He offers no shot to the one wide of the stumps before blocking the last ball.

14:52

Sarfaraz hits 150 as India dominate

Sarfaraz Khan plays the pull shot.

India 408-3 (84 ovs) & 46 vs NZ 402 | Scorecard

Southee gets some away swing as Sarfaraz again plays away from his body and is beaten before he misses the glance and collects a leg bye.

Pant also plays and misses outside the off-stump before he flicks the next ball uppishly to fine leg for one and Sarfaraz clips the last ball for one.

In the next over, Sarfaraz taps Henry for a single to bring up his 150 from 194 balls. Out of his 16 first class centuries, 11 have been over 150.

14:45

Pant, Sarfaraz take India past 400

India 402-3 (82 ovs) & 46 vs NZ 402 | Scorecard

New Zealand immediately take the second new ball after 80 overs. Tim Southee back into the attack. The first ball is wide of the stumps and swings away as Sarfaraz throws his bat at it and is beaten.

The next ball is full and moves away as Sarfaraz is beaten as he plays from the crease.

He offers no shot to the next ball before he plays and misses again and pulls the last ball for a single.

Matt Henry from the other end. The first ball moves away quite a lot as Sarfaraz is beaten all ends up trying to push at it.

He keeps out the next ball before Henry bowls it down the leg side as wicketkeeper Blundell puts in the dive to save some byes.

Pant gets hit high on the bat as Henry gets some extra bounce but the ball falls safely and he keeps out the last two balls.

14:30

Pant, Sarfaraz bring up India's 400

Sarfaraz Khan plays the ramp shot for a four.

India 400-3 (80 ovs) & 46 vs NZ 402 | Scorecard

Pant on the rampage! Ravindra bowls a wide half-volley as Pant lofts it inside out over the covers for a four and then takes one.

Sarfaraz keeps strike with a single from the last ball of the over.

The Mumbai batter has found the gaps with ease to hand the strike back to Pant, who has been on the attack since the resumption.

India have smashed 44 runs from seven overs in the post-lunch session at a run rate of more than six.

Phillips continues as singles come from the first four balls before he dishes out a full toss which Sarfaraz eases in the gap through the covers for a four.

Ravindra continues as Pant has a big swing across the line but is beaten. Two balls later he pushes it on the off-side for a single.

A single off the last ball bring up India's 400 after exactly 80 overs at a run rate of five.

Sarfaraz is unbeaten on 146, while Pant is on 87 from as many balls.

14:17

Pant, Sarfaraz put on 150-run stand

Rishabh Pant hits a six.

India 381-3 (77 ovs) & 46 vs NZ 402 | Scorecard

Sarfaraz brings out the cheeky ramp shot, guiding the short ball from O'Rourke at the very last second over the wicketkeeper for a four.

The next ball is full which is driven to sweeper cover for one, followed by a single to Pant.

In the next over, Pant goes for the slog sweep but is beaten as Ravindra gets some sharp turn off the rough.

He pads away the next ball before taking an easy single towards point and Sarfaraz keeps out the last ball.

New Zealand look short of ideas, they only hope now is the second new ball which is four overs away.

Part-time spinner Phillips is back to replace O'Rourke. Pant whips the first ball to deep square leg for a single and Sarfaraz clips it behind square for one more.

Pant is beaten as the ball outside the off-stump stays quite low and he cuts the last ball past point for a four.

That boundary raises the 150-run stand for the fourth wicket from 168 balls.

14:04

Pant, Sarfaraz give India the lead

India 364-3 (74 ovs) & 46 vs NZ 402 | Scorecard

Ravindra beats Pant outside the off-stump as he looks to drive and New Zealand appeal for caught behind which is turned down.

Wicketkeeper Tom Blundell believes there is an edge as he convinces captain Tom Latham to take the DRS.

There is nothing on the UltraEdge when the ball passes the bat as the Kiwis lose their review.

Pant on the attack! He reverse sweeps the next ball over the fielder at slip for a four.

Pant picks a single on the off-side and Sarfaraz drives the next to long-off for another run.

Pant collects another single to long-on followed by another run to his partner to get eight from the over.

India on the charge with 20 coming from three overs after the resumption.

13:59

Pant, Sarfaraz wipe out NZ's lead

India 356-3 (73 ovs) & 46 vs NZ 402 | Scorecard

The play gets underway in Bengaluru as Ravindra starts with the ball for New Zealand.

Rishabh Pant defends the first ball before he uses his feet to block the next.

He attempts the sweep third ball and gets the under edge as the ball goes off the boot to the fielder at slip. The umpires check with the TV umpire whether it was the bump ball and it has definitely bounced before hitting the boot.

Pant gets down on one knee and slogs the next ball powerfully over midwicket for a six, followed by a block.

Pacer William O'Rourke from the other end. The first ball kicks off from length as Sarfaraz pokes and is beaten. The next ball is back of length and into the body as Sarfaraz manages to swat it to deep square leg for a single.

Pant comes down and hammers it straight, narrowly missing O'Rourke on his follow through for a four.

He slaps the last ball to sweeper cover for a single to level scores.

13:44

Match resumes at 1.50pm IST

India 344-3 (71 ovs) & 46 vs NZ 402 | Scorecard

The covers have been taken off and the players are warming up. The match will resume at 1.50pm IST.

The conditions have improved vastly in the last few minutes in Bengaluru and New Zealand will be hoping the rain break changes their fortunes as well.

The revised session timings are as follows:

Post-lunch session: 1.50pm to 3.30pm IST

Post-tea session: 3.50pm to 5.15pm IST.

13:30

Covers being taken off!

India 344-3 (71 ovs) & 46 vs NZ 402 | Scorecard

It has stopped raining in Bengaluru as the covers are being taken off. The groundstaff quickly swing into action while the umpires have also made a visit to the middle to check the outfield.

It shouldn't be long before the match gets underway.

The state-of-the-art SubAir drainage system, which automatically kicks into action the minute it starts raining, will ensure that if the weather improves then play could start soon.

It quickly removes standing water virtually eliminating the need for extended game delays or cancellations due to wet outfield conditions.

12:31

Sarfaraz hits century; Pant slams fifty

India 344-3 (71 ovs) & 46 vs NZ 402 | Scorecard

The rain has got heavier at the M Chinnaswamy as play continues to be halted in the post-lunch session.

New Zealand will use the time to regroup and rework their plans. They need to strike at the earliest to break this dangerous partnership, which threatens to put India in a position of strength.

India still have some batting to follow in K L Rahul, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja -- all of whom have multiple Test centuries.

India are well-placed on 344/3 in 71 overs, trailing New Zealand by just 12 runs.

Considering their current run rate of 4.85, they could well take a lead of around 150 runs if they have a good full session with the bat.

12:05

Rain stops play; India 344/3 at lunch

India 344-3 (71 ovs) & 46 vs NZ 402 | Scorecard

The rain relented for a bit but it has picked up pace again a few minutes back as Saba Karim states on Jio Cinema from Bengaluru.

We won't have a restart after completion of the lunch break as the ground is still under covers.

Stay tuned!

11:26

Play to resume at 12 noon IST

India 344-3 (71 ovs) & 46 vs NZ 402 | Scorecard

Lunch has been taken as the ground is under covers because of rain.

Play will resume at 12noon IST if the weather improves.

The morning session belonged to the Indians, who smashed 113 runs in 22 overs at a run rate more than five per over.

Sarfaraz stole the show with his maiden Test century, frustrating the Kiwis with his clever and deft late cuts and steers behind square on the off-side.

He was unbeaten on 125 from 154 balls, hitting 16 fours and three sixes.

Pant recovered from his knee injury to smash 53 from 56 balls, with five fours and three sixes.

The duo put on 113 runs from 112 balls for the fourth wicket as India continued their smashing comeback.

11:05

Sarfaraz hits century; Pant slams fifty

Rishabh Pant

India 344-3 (71 ovs) & 46 vs NZ 402 | Scorecard

Rain has stopped play at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. This will come as a timely relief for the Kiwis as it interrupts India's momentum in an action packed morning session.

India are 344/3 in 71 overs, having reduced the deficit to just 12 runs.

Sarfaraz completed his maiden Test century as he stroked a wonderful 125 from 154 balls, hitting 16 fours and three sixes.

Pant recovered from his knee injury to smash 53 from 56 balls, with five fours and three sixes.

The young duo have put on 113 runs from 112 balls for the fourth wicket as India continued their smashing comeback.

11:01

Sarfaraz hits century; Pant slams fifty

India 344-3 (71 ovs) & 46 vs NZ 402 | Scorecard

Left-arm spinner Rachin Ravindra comes into the attack. A single to Pant to deep square leg before Sarfaraz plays the late dab past the slip fielder for two runs.

There is a good crowd at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium and the fans are getting their money's worth.

Phillips bowls a full toss which Pant drills through the covers for a four to bring up his fifty from 55 balls, with five fours and three sixes.

Pant comes down the track as Phillips adjusts his length forcing the left-hander to defend but the overthrow gets him a free run.

10:51

Sarfaraz, Pant pile on the runs!

India 334-3 (69 ovs) & 46 vs NZ 402 | Scorecard

A single each to Sarfaraz and Pant off Phillips before the former is hit on the arm trying to sweep as it goes over the slips for two leg byes.

Pant sweeps Ajaz fine on the leg side for one before Sarfaraz uses his feet to heave it over midwicket but it comes off the inside half for another run.

Pant whips the fifth ball for a single to square leg and Sarfaraz clips the last ball off his pads for one.

Phillips bowling a fine spell. Pant gets a thick outside edge which flies past the slip fielder for two runs and then takes one to long-on.

Sarfaraz powerfully smacks Phillips straight down the ground for a four through long-off.

That raises the 100-run stand for the fourth wicket between Pant and Sarfaraz.

India are 334/3 in 69 overs, with the lead down to 22 runs.

10:39

Sarfaraz, Pant take India past 300

India 318-3 (66 ovs) & 46 vs NZ 402 | Scorecard

Phillips keeping it simple, bowling it full in the channel just outside the off-stump as Sarfaraz blocks carefully for a maiden over.

It has gone quite dark at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium as the floodlights take full effect.

Pant uses his feet and lofts Ajaz over long-on for a six to bring the crowd to their feet as the lead goes under 50.

Two balls later, Pant again down the track to launch the spinner for a huge six over the sightscreen.

Ajaz gets revenge as Pant is given out leg before wicket. He takes the review and rightly so as there is a clear inside edge. The decision is overturned quickly by the TV umpire.

The next ball again strikes Pant on the pads this time umpire Paul Reiffel is unmoved and New Zealand take the review this time.

Once again there is a clear outside edge as the Kiwis lose the review.

Pant comes down to loft Ajaz down the ground as Ravindra runs in from long-off but can't get to the ball as it goes through for a four, to make it 16 runs from the over.

10:30

Sarfaraz hits maiden Test century

Sarfaraz Khan celebrates his century with Rishabh Pant.

India 302-3 (64 ovs) & 46 vs NZ 402 | Scorecard

Part-time spinner Glenn Phillips comes into the attack for the first time on Day 4. He helped New Zealand end the third day on a high getting the wicket of Kohli, with the last ball of the day.

Pant clips the first ball in the gap on the leg side for one.

Phillips has made a name as the partnership-breaker with the ball. His last five wickets have resulted in breaking partnerships of 103, 96, 107, 74 and 136.

How dearly will New Zealand want Phillips to continue with this good record.

At the drinks break, India have reached 294/3 in 63 overs, with Sarfaraz on 103 and Pant on 23.

Ajaz continues after the drinks break as Pant slaps the spinner to deep point for a single and Sarfaraz top edges the paddle sweep for two runs. Outstanding effort from Conway to run back from slips as he slides and uses his legs to keep the ball inside and save the boundary and keep it down to two runs.

He sweeps the next ball fine this time off the middle as the ball races across for a four.

India continue to pile on the runs, with 71 runs coming from 15 overs bowled so far.

10:19

Sarfaraz slams maiden Test century

Sarfaraz Khan with Rishabh Pant.

India 291-3 (62 ovs) & 46 vs NZ 402 | Scorecard

Extra bounce for Ajaz as it hits Pant on the gloves but away from the slip fielder. He takes a single from the fifth ball to raise the 50-run stand for the fourth wicket from 65 balls.

Sarfaraz has dominated the fifty run partnership with Pant scoring just 12 of those.

Pant finally breaks loose as he lofts Southee straight back over his head for a six into the sightscreen.

He keeps out the next few balls before he guides the last ball past the slips for a four.

India have scored 60 runs from the first 12 overs and are just 65 short of wiping out New Zealand's huge lead.

Ajaz brings some temporary relief to the Kiwis amidst India's charge as he bowls the first maiden over of the day, with Sarfaraz happy to block.

10:06

Sarfaraz slams maiden Test century

Sarfaraz Khan celebrates his century.

India 275-3 (59 ovs) & 46 vs NZ 402 | Scorecard

A superb comeback from Sarfaraz after getting out for a duck in the first innings to get India back in the contest after they were bowled out for 46.

Spin introduced as Ajaz Patel comes into the attack. Sarfaraz clips the first ball to square leg and Pant watchfully keeps out the rest of the over as the spinner keeps it wide of the off-stump.

Sarfaraz keeps peppering the off-side as he punches Southee off the backfoot through the covers for a four.

Full and swinging away as Sarfaraz is beaten trying to drive it through the off-side before he blocks the last ball into the off-side.

09:57

Sarfaraz slams maiden Test century

India 275-3 (57 ovs) & 46 vs NZ 402 | Scorecard

Maiden Test century for Sarfaraz!!!

The Mumbai batter slaps Southee in the gap through the covers to complete his maiden century in Test cricket.

He has played an instrumental role in India's superb comeback, hitting 13 fours and three sixes in his 110-ball knocks.

A passionate Sarfaraz celebrates his century waving his bat to the fans and letting out a loud roar! The entire dressing room is up to applaud the youngster's feat.

Sarfaraz didn't get a chance in the Bangladesh series but once he was brought back into the team in place of Shubman Gill, he grabbed his chance with both hands.

09:52

Sarfaraz, Pant take India past 250

India 270-3 (56 ovs) & 46 vs NZ 402 | Scorecard

India have progressed at a good rate, scoring 30 runs from the last five overs.

Tim Southee comes into the attack as the Kiwis will be worried about the flow of boundaries so far.

Pant picks a single off the first ball before Sarfaraz defends the next few balls and takes one off the last ball to retain strike.

A close shave for Pant as New Zealand miss out on a possible run out opportunity.

Sarfaraz steers the ball to thirdman where Conway is quick to throw the ball back. Wicketkeeper Tom Blundell goes forward to collect the throw which is well short. If he had been back at the stumps he had a chance to run out Pant, who was long way out of his crease after being sent back halfway down while going for the second run.

Pant and Sarfaraz take a single each before the former lofts Henry over the fielder at mid-on for a four.

09:41

Sarfaraz, Pant take India past 250

Sarfaraz Khan bats during Day 4.

India 261-3 (54 ovs) & 46 vs NZ 402 | Scorecard

Sarfaraz inside edges Henry for a single on the leg side. The wicketkeeper is standing up for Pant as he does well to collect the ball after the left-hander is beaten.

He gets a thick outside edge next ball which stays low and goes past the wide slip fielder for a four followed by a single.

The lead is under 100.

Sarfaraz continues to find gaps with ease behind square on the off-side. This time he steers the short ball past the slip fielder for a four to take his score into the 90s.

09:38

Sarfaraz, Pant take India past 250

RIshabh Pant

India 251-3 (53 ovs) & 46 vs NZ 402 | Scorecard

William O'Rourke from the other end. He starts with a short ball wide of the stumps as Sarfaraz late cuts it over the slips for a four. The next ball is back of length just outside the off-stump and kicks a bit as Sarfaraz pokes and is beaten.

He plays and misses again next ball. The cracks coming into play as the fourth ball takes off quite a bit but the line is too wide as Sarfaraz leaves.

O'Rourke makes the mistake of giving width as Sarfaraz rocks back to ease it past the gully fielder for a four, between the two fielders at deep point and thirdman.

Henry from the other end as Pant is beaten outside the off-stump off a full delivery slanted across and clips the next to square leg for a single to get off the mark.

Sarfaraz cuts Henry past point as Devon Conway on the boundary runs to his left and puts in the slide. He is able to keep the ball inside the ropes but his elbow is touching the boundary as it is ruled a boundary.

A third boundary for Sarfaraz this morning as he races into the 80s.

Pant gives O'Rourke the charge and has to defend the short ball which comes in sharply. He misses the clip but gets a leg bye before Sarfaraz gets the edge but the ball stays low and goes between the wicketkeeper and first slip for a four.

He cuts the next ball on the bounce to the fielder at gully before getting it past the same fielder for a single off the last ball.

09:21

India face daunting task on Day 4

India 232-3 (50 ovs) & 46 vs NZ 402 | Scorecard

Sarfaraz Khan walks out to bat with Rishabh Pant, who didn't take the field on the third day after injuring his knee while keeping wickets on Day 2.

Pant walking out to bat will be a big boost for India. The young left-hander is a man for crisis as he has time and again played some crucial knocks in desperate situations in Test cricket.

Matt Henry starts off with the ball for New Zealand. The first ball kicks off length as Sarfaraz is struck on the gloves as he tries to defend. He watchfully keeps out the next few balls before clipping a full delivery off his pads to deep square leg for the first run of the day.

Pant carefully blocks the last ball of the over.

08:58

Can India take lead on Day 4?

Sarfaraz Khan

India 231-3 (49 ovs) & 46 vs NZ 402 | Scorecard

Welcome to the coverage of Day 4 of the first Test between India and New Zealand at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday.

India made a superb comeback with the bat in their second innings on the third day, to keep their hopes alive.

However, India are still staring at a daunting challenge despite a much more assured performance in their second innings, trailing by 125 runs at the close/

Sarfaraz Khan on 70 not out after Virat Kohli fell for the same score on the day's final ball as India reached 231/3 at stumps on the third day of the rain-affected opening Test on Friday.

Rohit Sharma made 52 and opening partner Yashasvi Jaiswal scored 35 earlier, but the dismissals of the swashbuckling duo left India ill at ease.

Kohli then helped settle the nerves in the company of Khan, with a fine knock that helped him cross 9,000 Test runs, although the veteran batsman was handed a lifeline when Ajaz Patel dropped him at slip in the evening session.

He failed to make the most of the reprieve, edging one to wicketkeeper Tom Blundell off Glenn Phillips at the end.

Earlier, Rachin Ravindra smashed a game-changing century as New Zealand posted 402 all out for a substantial first-innings lead of 356 runs over India.

Ravindra, who was born in Wellington but has family hailing from Bengaluru, reached his second Test ton earlier with a swept boundary off Ravichandran Ashwin to draw huge cheers from an adoring home crowd.

The all-rounder hit 13 fours and four sixes, and forged a 137-run partnership with Southee for the eighth wicket, as the pair heaped more misery on India.

The hosts had been bowled out for a paltry 46 in the first innings, their worst total on home soil, as New Zealand's fast bowlers dazzled on a gloomy Thursday morning after the opening day was washed out without a ball being bowled.

Test Updates: Rain ends play early; NZ need 107 to win

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