The first Test between India and New Zealand in Bengaluru is heading towards a thrilling climax, with the weather threatening to play a pivotal role in the outcome. India, chasing a historic 107-run target, finds itself in a precarious position as rain looms large over Day 5.
Day 4 saw a remarkable turnaround in the match after New Zealand had established a significant lead. Sarfaraz Khan and Rishabh Pant, with their brilliant batting performances, put India back in the driver’s seat. Sarfaraz’s magnificent 150 and Pant’s aggressive 99 propelled India to a commanding position, overcoming a daunting deficit of 356 runs.
However, the Black Caps struck back with the second new ball, picking up wickets and putting the brakes on India’s chase. Rain interruptions have also disrupted the flow of the match, with a significant amount of play lost on Day 4.
Now, with the weather forecast uncertain for Day 5, India’s quest for a historic victory faces a major challenge. The Bengaluru weather is known for its unpredictability, and even a brief shower could disrupt the match and potentially influence the final outcome.
If India is able to overcome the weather challenge, they will be aiming to create history by successfully defending the lowest target ever in a Test match. The last time India successfully defended a target of 107 was against Australia at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai in 2004.
With the game hanging in the balance, every ball will be crucial on Day 5. Can India overcome the weather odds and secure a historic victory, or will New Zealand capitalize on the situation to claim a thrilling win? The answer to this question will be decided in the final day of this exciting contest. Stay tuned for more updates and live scores.