Sarfaraz Khan’s maiden Test century (150) and Rishabh Pant’s spirited 99 may not be enough to stop New Zealand from securing their first Test victory on Indian soil in 36 years. With just 107 runs required on the final day and all 10 wickets in hand, New Zealand is in a strong position to end their long drought, having last won a Test in India in 1989, led by Sir Richard Hadlee.
India’s second-innings score of 462 was bolstered by a 177-run partnership between Sarfaraz and a half-fit Pant, who narrowly missed his seventh Test hundred by one run. However, the Indian batting collapsed after the second new ball was taken, losing seven wickets for just 54 runs. Matt Henry (3/102) and William O’Rourke (3/92) exploited the bounce and movement of the Chinnaswamy surface, giving New Zealand the upper hand.
Sarfaraz’s brilliant 150 in his fourth Test match marked a significant milestone in his career. Speaking after the day’s play, he expressed his joy at fulfilling his childhood dream of scoring a Test century. He remained hopeful, citing the pitch conditions that could favor India’s bowlers on the final day.
Pant, despite his 99, will regret missing yet another century after being dismissed in the 90s for the seventh time in Test cricket. His aggressive knock helped India stage a fightback, but his dismissal, followed by Sarfaraz’s, shifted the momentum to New Zealand.
New Zealand openers Tom Latham and Devon Conway will resume on the final day, with the team needing only 107 runs to seal a historic win. However, Sarfaraz remains optimistic, believing that the pitch offers enough unpredictability for India’s bowlers to make things difficult for the visitors. The final day promises to be a thrilling contest, with India needing an extraordinary effort to turn the tide.
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