Bengaluru: In a stunning display of resilience, Rachin Ravindra and Tim Southee dismantled India's initial momentum, forging an unbeaten 112-run partnership and securing a commanding lead for New Zealand in the opening Test on Day 3 in Bengaluru.
By the conclusion of the first session, New Zealand had amassed 345/7 in 81 overs, with Ravindra and Southee both scoring unbeaten figures of 104 and 49, respectively. This left New Zealand with a substantial lead of 299 runs at lunchtime.
The game began with Mohammed Siraj setting the stage for a potential Indian comeback. However, Daryl Mitchell's attempt to deflect the ball was thwarted by a thick outside edge, which was easily caught by Yashasvi Jaiswal at the gully.
In the midst of the play, Jaiswal sustained an injury, necessitating a bandage for his hand.
Jasprit Bumrah capitalized on the situation, dispatching Tom Blundell before he could secure a grip on the ball. Blundell's indecision regarding his approach led to him attempting to cushion the ball away, which resulted in a nicking incident with KL Rahul at the second slip.
Upon Glenn Phillips' arrival, Rachin Ravindra continued to dominate from the other end. The strategic rotation of strikes and the southpaw's adeptness at finding gaps in India's defense kept the hosts on their toes.
Rohit Sharma, the Indian skipper, swiftly adapted to the changing dynamics and brought in Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav to mitigate the impact.
This tactical adjustment proved effective, with Jadeja maintaining a straight line to dismiss Phillips (14). Matt Henry's powerful batting saw him score consecutive boundaries, contributing to New Zealand's relentless pursuit of the target.
In the next over, Jadeja delivered a powerful delivery that found the boundary rope on two consecutive attempts. The seasoned India spinner adeptly countered Henry's efforts by opting for a straightforward approach. He extended an invitation for Henry to challenge him, which Henry readily accepted. In a moment of overzealousness, Henry attempted a daring shot, only to miss entirely, allowing the ball to dislodge the bails from the stumps.
As New Zealand found itself in a challenging position, Rachin and Tim Southee were compelled to employ their strategic prowess to counter India's formidable bowlers. The duo bore the brunt of the scoring opportunities, executing their tactical plan with precision.
Southee faced off against Ravichandran Ashwin, delivering a ball that sailed over his head, landing in the stands for a resounding six-wicket haul.
The Indian team, which had previously been successful in managing New Zealand's innings, encountered difficulties in maintaining their momentum. Southee emerged from his position frequently, adeptly handling the spinners. He strategically used sweep shots to expose Ashwin's vulnerabilities.
Rachin, on the other hand, chose to rely on tried-and-true methods, opting for straightforward shots. With a sweep, he achieved a century in Bengaluru, a city of significant personal and familial importance to him.
With the introduction of the new ball, India opted to continue with their existing strategy, aiming for wickets. However, Southee persisted in his aggressive approach, ending the session just short of a half-century.
Brief Score: India 46 (Rishabh Pant 20; Matt Henry 5-15, William ORourke 4-22) vs New Zealand: 345/7 (Rachin Ravindra 104*, Tim Southee 49*, Devon Conway 91; Ravindra Jadeja 3/72).
