Watch: Misfortune ends Rohit Sharma blitzkrieg in Bengaluru, New Zealand get bonus wicket

Rohit Sharma. (Source – Twitter/X)

Rohit Sharma was looking in sublime touch on Day 3 of the first Test between India and New Zealand at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The Indian skipper smashed a half-century but departed shortly after as he inadvertently deflected a ball onto his stumps while facing Ajaz Patel.

India conceded a first-innings lead of 356 on Friday, October 18, as Rachin Ravindra starred with the bat for New Zealand, amassing 134 off 157 balls. Tim Southee also scored an enterprising half-century before New Zealand were bowled out for 402 in reply to India’s 46 in the first innings.

With their backs against the wall, India needed to put on a herculean effort with the bat in their second innings. Openers Rohit and Yashasvi Jaiswal stitched a 72-run standoff 104 balls to give the hosts a solid start. However, the southpaw was dismissed in an attempt to hit Patel out of the park. The Mumbai batter ran past a straight delivery and was stumped by Tom Blundell.

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Virat Kohli joined his captain in the middle and the duo tried to take India’s innings forward in contrasting styles. Rohit, who was set at the crease, played some gorgeous strokes and grew in confidence as the innings progressed. He went on a boundary-hitting spree to get to his half-century off just 59 balls. The legendary batter hit four, six, and four off Matt Henry to reach the landmark.

However, in the following over bowled by Patel, Rohit defended a length delivery on off-stump off the front foot but the ball ran off the inner half of the bat and rolled onto the stumps before the batter could kick it to safety. The M Chinnaswamy Stadium was buzzing ahead of that delivery as Kohli had also hit his first boundary earlier in that over. However, Rohit’s dismissal silenced the fans as their hopes were crushed within seconds.

Watch the video below:

Kohli, Sarfaraz propel India past 150

After Rohit’s unfortunate dismissal, Sarfaraz Khan joined Kohli in the middle. The youngster played some audacious strokes and got his innings off to a flying start. Kohli also looked at ease and played a trademark cover drive off William O’Rourke to get himself going. He also hit a six and a four off consecutive deliveries off Patel to set the Chinnaswamy ablaze.

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Sarfaraz and Kohli have formed a half-century stand but India is still a long way behind New Zealand’s lead. The two right-handed batters will have to capitalize on their starts as India looks to produce a fightback for the ages.

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