After dominating the first two sessions and staging a sensational comeback, India witnessed a shock collapse after the tea break on Day 4 of the opening Test match against New Zealand in Bengaluru. India managed to set a low but fighting target of 107 but heavy rain forced early stumps at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, leaving New Zealand a bit relieved ahead of Day 5.
Sarfaraz Khan and Rishabh Pant walked out to bat as India resumed Day 4 from 231/3 and were impressive to overcome their first innings shock by taking the lead in the second innings. Sarfaraz top-scored with 150 runs, his maiden international century, and Pant scored 99 but the hosts witnessed a shock collapse and lost their last 7 wickets for just 54 runs.
Fast bowlers William O'Rourke and Matt Henry made a late impact by removing Pant on 99 and then dominated after the tea break to end India's second innings to 462 in 99.3 overs. India was looking in good rhythm to post a huge total and go for a magical win when Pant and Sarfaraz were batting but the Kiwis changed the course with a new ball in the closing stages.
Earlier on Day 4, fans were pleased to witness Rishabh coming out to bat after missing the entire previous day with a swollen knee. Rishabh was quick to settle in and approached the game with aggressive batting which helped India score quick runs.
India managed to avoid losing a wicket before lunch as rain interrupted the game during the lunch break and also delayed the restart. After lunch, Sarfaraz brought his maiden Test century to justify his selection in the playing eleven and also added pressure on underperforming KL Rahul and Shubman Gill ahead of the all-important Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
The visiting side find a breakthrough when India was dominating the scoreboard with Tim Southee removing Sarfaraz who scored 150 runs off 195 balls with the help of 18 fours and 3 sixes. And that was enough for New Zealand to make a comeback.
O'Rourke then claimed three big wickets of Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja and Henry finished with three late wickets.
