New Delhi: New Zealand bowlers were on roll once the second new ball was available post the lunch on Day 4. The moment senior fast bowler Tim Southee dismissed centurion Sarfaraz Khan, the Indian batting order crumbled in less than a session.
Matt Henry (3 for 102) and William O’Rourke (3 for 92) were once again at the task of inflicting a Indian batting fall-down. Despite the commanding 177-run partnership between Sarfaraz (150) and Rishabh Pant (99), India were bowled out for 462 after the lower order missed to add the impetus run that could help them to post a challenging target.
New Zealand will now chase 107 on Day 5 for what can be their first victory against India after more than three-and-a-half decade. The last time New Zealand won a Test match in India was back in 1989 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
That match featured legends such as John Wright and Sir Richard Hadlee for the Black Caps. New Zealand crushed the Dilip Vengsarkar-led India by 136 runs in the second to level the series 1-1 at that stage, though India later won the series 2-1 in Hyderabad.
Since then the New Zealand men’s team has toured to India on seven occasions and played 18 matches, but couldn’t muster a single win in these many visits. The Tom Latham and his men are on the cusp of ending the drought on their eighth Test tour.
New Zealand won’t take things lightly from here
New Zealand’s chase only lasted for four balls on the fourth day after the umpires called it the day owing to bad light followed by rain showers. Tom Latham’s team won’t be at ease despite being set for a sub-par target of 107, said pace bowler William O’Rourke.
“I wouldn’t say it’s an easy win from here. We’ve got a world-class team going up against us. But we’ve got to be confident going out there tomorrow,” said O’Rourke during the post-day press meet.
“Hopefully, for our sake the rain stays away and we get a chance to have a crack at it,” he added.
