Twitter Reacts as India Fights Back Against New Zealand in Bengaluru

Twitter Reactions: India fightback but New Zealand still ahead in Bengaluru

Virat Kohli and Sarfaraz Khan. (Source – BCCI)

New Zealand started Day 3 with Rachin Ravindra smashing the boundary off Mohammed Siraj on the very first ball of the morning. He continued milking runs even as India managed to pick wickets from the other end. Dary Mitchell (18) was the first one to depart and Tom Blundell (5) followed. Ravindra could not get any support from the other side as Glenn Phillips (14) and Matt Henry (8) were cleaned up by Ravindra Jadeja.

However, the left-hander finally found an able support in Tim Southee as the duo took the Indian bowlers to the cleaners. The former notched up his second Test ton while the latter brought up an attacking half-century. The pair stitched a 137-run stand for the eighth wicket as the visitors kept adding runs to their lead. By the time Kuldeep Yadav picked Ravindra (134 off 157), the Kiwis had scored 402, taking a massive lead of 356 runs.

Also Read: Southee surpasses Virender Sehwag’s Test sixes tally

For India, the spin duo of Kuldeep and Jadeja picked three wickets each while Siraj contributed with two scalps. Star pacer Jasprit Bumrah toiled hard but fetched just one wicket, while veteran spinner Ashwin had an off day too, picking one wicket after giving away plenty of runs in the morning session.

Despite the hefty deficit, India openers Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal started on a positive note. The duo put up a 72-run stand for the first wicket before Jaiswal (35) was stumped off Ajaz Patel’s ripper. Rohit (52) started getting to his usual groove but was the victim of an unfortunate bowled by Patel.

As India were two down within 100 runs, Virat Kohli and Sarafraz Khan took the onus upon themselves and started scoring at a brisk rate. They maintained a run rate as high as a run-a-ball in their partnership at times brought up their half-centuries. However, just before the stumps, Kohli nicked one to the wicketkeeper as India ended Day 3 on 231 for three and trail by 125 runs with Sarfaraz remaining unbeaten on 70.

Here’s how ‘X’ users reacted to Day 3 of first Test:

9000 test runs, Virat kohli showing great touch and timing with red ball. Fans must be enjoying watching him bat in banglore.

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) October 18, 2024

What a start by TAMIL NADU

Completely dominating Delhi on day 1 in their second game after putting up a superb display last game against a strong Saurashtra

And SAI SUDARSHAN , well done yet again , a superb 200 soo far , just the kind of innings you’d need to get into team…

— DK (@DineshKarthik) October 18, 2024

Virat Kohli & Sarfaraz Khan crosses 50 mark
India Fight back after losing Openers.
214/2 Trail by 142 runs in Second innings Vs Newzealand pic.twitter.com/43ikr40oNB

— Krishna K R (@Krishrkp) October 18, 2024

This is the first century partnership for the 3rd wicket for India against New Zealand since 2014 (126 runs by Dhawan and Kohli at Auckland). pic.twitter.com/iGCARhWi9E

— Jaipal Abhishek singh (@JaipalabhishekS) October 18, 2024

Most 50+ scores for India against New Zealand in Tests

12 – Rahul Dravid
12 – Sachin Tendulkar
08 – VVS Laxman
07 – Virat Kohli*#INDvNZ

— KhelCricket (@KhelCricket247) October 18, 2024

That wicket of Virat Kohli will let New Zealand sleep well!
What a twist to this Test match. What a day’s play!

India still trail by 125; needs a big partnership tomorrow morning to stay alive in this Test.
This match has interesting possibilities.#IndvNZ

— Ajay Srinivasan (@Ajaychairman) October 18, 2024

Michel Gough yet again proved that he is one of the best umpires. That’s OUT. #ViratKohli𓃵 OUT, Caught. That was the last ball of the day…. !!!
Big Partnership broken though. Still India 128 Runs behind Newzealand.
It’s Absolute Cinema. #INDvsNZ #sarfaraz #RohitSharma

— India_Bharat_Sports_Lover (@Bharat_India_SP) October 18, 2024

If they win it will be embarrassing to you and New Zealand too. Just checked 120 odd deficit with 7 wickets remaining and don’t forget New Zealand have to bat 4th and India have 3 good spinners.

— AE (@EleasAbu87691) October 18, 2024

Twitter Reactions

Here’s how ‘X’ users reacted to Day 3 of first Test:

More in Twitter Reactions