India keep hopes in check as runs flow in Bengaluru
India are behind by 125 runs at stumps on day three with Virat Kohli and Sarfaraz Khan stitching together an impressive stand to bring the hosts back into the contest.
Bowled out for 46 on day two of the Test, India watched helplessly as Rachin Ravindra and Tim Southee bludgeoned their attack on day three to help the visitors pile on a 356-run first innings lead.
With a better batting show in the final couple of sessions, India are back in the contest, but still trail by 125 runs with the pitch increasingly becoming batting-friendly at the Chinnaswamy stadium.
In the post-match press conference, Kuldeep Yadav rued the lack of turn in the wicket and acknowledged that it would be a hard task for India to stop the run flow in the final innings, should they get a good enough lead to push for a win.
“It was difficult to control runs on this wicket, even the good deliveries were being hit," Kuldeep said.
"There wasn’t much turn off the pitch. Maybe because it was damp yesterday, today it had become hard. This ground also has a history. It is a small ground, and runs are easily scored here."
Watch Kuldeep Yadav shine in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024
Kuldeep Yadav left the batters in a daze with his spin at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024.
453 runs were scored in the day as batters not only added big runs, but also scored them at a rapid rate. Ravindra hit 134 off 157 deliveries while Tim Southee's 65 took just 73 balls.
India took cue from the same template laid by the Kiwis, scoring at a quick rate of 4.71 runs per over. Kuldeep credited Ravindra for his brilliant knock, while hoping that his golden form doesn't continue for the remainder of the series.
“He [Ravindra] batted very well. I missed his wicket twice," the Indian spinner said.
"He is a good player. He has improved in the last two years as a player. He batted with good technique. He was comfortable against the spinners. I hope he doesn’t play like this in the upcoming matches."
A big boost for New Zealand as they dismiss Virat Kohli off the final ball of Day 3 🏏#WTC25 | #INDvNZ 📝: https://t.co/do4ujxzTSX pic.twitter.com/5JeBmSrSfG
— ICC (@ICC) October 18, 2024
A lot of India's hopes rest on Sarfaraz Khan as day four looms with the middle-order batter unbeaten on a 78-ball 70. Unluckily for the hosts, Virat Kohli won't walk out with him on day four with the senior Indian batter falling for 70 off the final ball of day three.
Kuldeep reserved special praise for Sarfaraz Khan, stating that the team enjoyed his batting display.
"We enjoy his [Sarfaraz] batting a lot. You saw how he scored a 200 in the Irani Cup. I hope he scores a double-hundred here too... He doesn’t allow the spinners to settle down.
"He counter-attacked the left-arm spinner [Ajaz Patel], and they had to bring in a fast bowler from one end."