India vs New Zealand: A Gritty Battle Unfolds in 1st Test, Day 3 – Rohit and Jaiswal Fight Back After Ravindra’s Heroics
The 1st Test match between India vs New Zealand in Bengaluru has been an intense clash of talent and tenacity, as both sides have demonstrated their capabilities on the field. New Zealand, powered by a sensational performance from Rachin Ravindra, took a commanding lead, putting India under immense pressure. However, at Tea on Day 3, Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal were determined to fight back, staying unbeaten at 57/0 as India faced a daunting task of chasing down a significant deficit.
New Zealand’s Commanding Position: Rachin Ravindra’s Sublime Century
New Zealand entered Day 3 in a strong position, having bowled India out for a dismal 46 in their first innings. Their lead of 356 runs was largely built on the foundation of Rachin Ravindra’s outstanding knock of 134. Ravindra, who has shown a lot of promise in his young career, capitalized on India’s inability to break crucial partnerships. Along with Devon Conway, who scored a valuable 91, and Tim Southee’s aggressive 65, New Zealand managed to post a formidable 402 runs.
Ravindra’s innings was a perfect blend of patience and aggression, as he weathered India’s fast bowlers early on and then shifted gears to counterattack the spinners. His partnership with Southee for the eighth wicket, adding 112 runs, proved to be a turning point in the game. India, despite some good bowling from Ravindra Jadeja (3-72) and Kuldeep Yadav (3-82), struggled to contain the visitors once Ravindra found his rhythm.
This powerful batting display from New Zealand set the stage for a massive lead, leaving India in a precarious position. Ravindra’s century was particularly special, as it marked his second Test hundred, further solidifying his role as a key player for New Zealand in all formats.
India’s Early Collapse: A Nightmare Start in the First Innings
India’s first innings was nothing short of disastrous. The top order crumbled under the relentless pressure from the New Zealand pacers, particularly Matt Henry and William O’Rourke, who were nearly unplayable on a pitch that offered some movement early on. Five Indian batsmen, including stars like Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Ravindra Jadeja, were dismissed without scoring a single run. The Indian batting unit looked out of sorts, and only Rishabh Pant showed some resistance with a top score of 20.
Rohit Sharma, who had a poor outing in the first innings, was dismissed for just 2 runs, while the rest of the lineup succumbed to an uncharacteristically low total of 46. This score marked India’s lowest-ever total in a home Test match, a record they would want to forget as quickly as possible. The collapse highlighted India’s struggle against New Zealand’s disciplined bowling attack, and it left them trailing by 356 runs after New Zealand’s dominant performance with the bat.
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Rohit and Jaiswal’s Resistance: A Glimmer of Hope
Facing such a daunting deficit, India needed to put up a solid fight in their second innings to avoid an embarrassing defeat. Captain Rohit Sharma and young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal stepped up to the challenge, taking India to 57/0 at Tea on Day 3. The pair displayed composure and determination, negating the New Zealand bowlers and ensuring that India did not lose any early wickets this time around.
Rohit, after his disappointing first-innings dismissal, looked more assured at the crease, focusing on building a solid foundation with Jaiswal. The duo dealt in boundaries and rotated the strike well, keeping the scoreboard ticking without taking undue risks. While India still trails by 299 runs, this opening partnership has provided the team with a much-needed boost of confidence.
For India to have any chance of saving this Test match, the partnership between Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal will need to blossom further. Both players have the capability to play long innings, and their performances in the coming sessions will be crucial in determining whether India can pull off an unlikely comeback or at least force the match into a competitive position.
Rachin Ravindra’s Rise to Stardom
A key storyline in this Test has been the stellar performance of Rachin Ravindra, who has emerged as one of the brightest talents in world cricket. His knock of 134 in this match was a testament to his growing stature as a reliable all-rounder for New Zealand. What makes Ravindra’s performance even more impressive is his ability to adapt to different conditions and situations, as he has now scored a hundred in the same city where his family has roots, making the innings all the more special.
Ravindra’s ability to handle both pace and spin with equal ease makes him a formidable player in the middle order. In this Test, he not only anchored New Zealand’s innings but also played with an attacking flair when the opportunity presented itself. His partnership with Southee was particularly important in putting India on the back foot, as the pair added runs at a brisk pace, making life difficult for the Indian bowlers.
The India vs New Zealand series is still in its early stages, but Ravindra’s contribution in the first Test has already made him a player to watch for the remainder of the series. His ability to bowl useful overs as a left-arm spinner adds further depth to his game, making him a valuable asset for New Zealand in all conditions.
India’s Bowling Effort: Bright Spots Amidst Struggles
Despite being on the back foot for much of the game, India’s bowlers had their moments, especially on the third morning when they managed to take four wickets for just 53 runs. Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah bowled with fire and precision, getting the ball to move just enough to trouble the New Zealand batsmen. Siraj, in particular, was impressive with his accuracy, consistently beating the bat and picking up two wickets.
However, the inability to break the partnership between Ravindra and Southee cost India dearly. Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav were the pick of the spinners, with both bowlers showing good control and variations. Jadeja’s three-wicket haul was a positive for India, but the overall bowling effort fell short of what was required to keep New Zealand’s lead in check.
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Conclusion: Can India Mount a Comeback?
As things stand, New Zealand holds the upper hand in the 1st Test of the series. With a lead of 299 runs and two full days of play remaining, the visitors will be confident of pushing for a victory. However, cricket is a game of uncertainties, and India’s resilience with the bat, especially from Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal, has given the hosts a fighting chance.
For India to save this Test, their batsmen will need to show immense grit and determination, something they failed to do in the first innings. The key will be to bat long and tire out the New Zealand bowlers, who have been relentless so far. The next session will be crucial, as it will determine whether India can continue to fight back or if New Zealand will seal the deal early.
The India vs New Zealand rivalry has always produced thrilling contests, and this Test match is no exception. While New Zealand remains in control, the game is far from over, and fans can expect more drama as the match heads into its final stages.
