New Zealand vs India , Day 4 of the 1st Test-Match Updates

It was one full of action and distraction – this day gave everyone more of a rollercoaster ride on account of the rain. Here are the key updates from the day, in point form, to help you understand all the action better:

1. Sarfaraz Khan takes the day as his century tops the list of highlights:

Sarfaraz Khan was just marvelous on the fourth day. Returning without contributing anything in the first innings, he scripted it different this time by using glorious hundred in the second. Aggressive stroke play with a matured calculation helped India join New Zealand’s lead at the time when the rain came to play and left India 12 runs short. This was his first Test century scored in only 110 balls-the result of a bit risk that some of it has paid off.

He dominated with boundaries through third man and gully, testifying to his technique.
He scored 48 of his runs off third man and 25 of those off square leg. That speaks quite a bit to how he used the fields and how he targeted vulnerable spots in New Zealand’s field.
His hundredth run boundary was a magnificent punch through the covers.

2. Rishabh Pant played a pivotal role in this innings.

His third fifty of the series was just as important in this stand, which came when he was patient and then eventually steamed ahead. He got his half-century off 55 balls to bring India closer to the total that New Zealand had put up. Pant got going a tad slower than Sarfaraz, but these knocks helped steady the innings.

Jotting down the point of play:

Pant survived an LBW verdict due to DRS, but then went on to attack the Kiwi bowlers with two huge sixes over long-on.
Pant batted with optimism and sealed Pant’s five consecutive matches of 50+. Again this sealed Pant’s solidity at no 3 in Test cricket.

3. Rain stops Play:

It was a rain-filled day, though heavy showers did dampen the spirits as it put a stop to play just when India was getting a good lead over New Zealand. The unpredictable rain in Bengaluru turned worst after lunch when Kumble’s grim prediction remained on the money.

Updates:

After good session, when India added 113 runs in 22 overs without losing a wicket, rain forced the early lunch.
The drizzle continued getting heavier and soon it was not wise that the post-lunch session would resume anytime sooner .

4. Kumble’s Concern on Rain from Far End:

As he was commentating, Anil Kumble opined that the showers tend to get worse when they come from the far end at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. His fears proved to be true when rain kept returning even after brief interruptions that thereby hampered the run of play of the game.

5. Hitting Approach: High-Risk, High-Reward

Sarfaraz and Pant provided a match-winning, nerve-wracking innings for India. In particular, Sarfaraz more often than not used considerable aerial shots as a way of testing the New Zealand fielders. His attacking game saw India accumulate a lot of runs to bridge the deficit while forcing New Zealand onto the back foot.

Sarfaraz continued with his deliveries, cutting the offside and making the most of the gaps, but New Zealand persisted in fielding where he was scoring.
Through all these risks, the two batsmen did well with a game plan and consolidated the momentum in India’s favor.

6. Fielding Conundrum for New Zealand:

It wasn’t a New Zealand-centric day at all with their sloppy fielding allowing India to seize the attacking batting. There were critical misses at crucial times which would have returned the balance in New Zealand’s favor. A keenly spotted run-out opportunity when Pant had way strayed out of his crease was miss potted by his own team and saw Rohit Sharma visibly frustrated in the dressing room.

Observations

Devon Conway goofed-up a key fielding opportunity in the deep off his own bowling when Sarfaraz capitalized from it and reached the 80s.
With New Zealand using helmeted fielders at gully and fine leg, Sarfaraz continued milking the seams, edging deliveries that somehow got past the slip cordon.

7. Doubtful Light and Over Head Conditions:

Bad light too threatened to hover over the day’s play as dark clouds threatened to engulf the stadium. The floodlights were turned on while it was still mid-morning, and one now wondered whether the day would see further stoppages resulting from bad light.

Key moments:

Another commentator Dinesh Karthik pointed out that Sarfaraz was frequently asking the umpires whether the light is sufficient enough for play. Challenges apart, the umpires allowed the game to go on till it was the rains that actually stopped the action.

8. Brilliant Drainage System at Chinnaswamy Stadium:

Whatever rain can leave for the poor cricket fans, one good thing this rainy day was the very excellent drainage system at Chinnaswamy Stadium. Ground staffs easily covered the pitch, and well known draining of water at this stadium gave hopes that play could resume later if the rain clears.

9. India’s Position in the Match:

At 344/3, India is in an excellent position, and it is just 12 runs behind New Zealand. With Pant and Sarfaraz well set at the crease, they look to surpass New Zealand’s total and potentially build a strong lead before the final day of the Test.

10. What’s Next?

It might still be India’s chance to seize the initiative if it clears off in time, but rains-wasted time could hand over a draw. For now, fans and players alike hope for a resumption in play for this Test match, which is finely poised.

This match has seen everything: brilliant batting, risky shots, fielding mishaps, and the ever-looming threat of rain. With Day 4 disrupted, the onus will once again be on weather as the two teams strive to one-up each other in what has been an enthralling Test so far. India, with this stubborn partnership at the crease, will look to capitalize on the same advantage, whereas New Zealand will hope for those quick breakthroughs once the match resumes again.