Bengaluru Test: Late Virat Kohli Heartbreak Pegs India Back in Pursuit of Miracle
In the Bengaluru Test, a late Virat Kohli heartbreak has left India in a challenging position as they chase a miraculous victory. Kohli, who was leading a remarkable fightback, was dismissed for 70 on the final delivery of the day. His departure has pegged India back, leaving Sarfaraz Khan unbeaten on 70, carrying the nation’s hopes of salvaging the Test. New Zealand had earlier set a daunting 356-run lead in their first innings, and by stumps, India stood at 231 for 3, still trailing by 125 runs.
The match has been a game of two contrasting halves. Rachin Ravindra’s brilliant century helped New Zealand surpass 400, complemented by Tim Southee’s aggressive lower-order display. In response, India mounted a strong resistance, capitalizing on favorable batting conditions. Rohit Sharma’s performance ignited hopes of a miraculous turnaround in the Garden City. With Kohli gone, all eyes now turn to the remaining Indian batsmen to see if they can pull off the impossible in this crucial IND vs NZ series.
‘He Punished Us: Rachin Ravindra Reacts to Virat Kohli’s Valiant 70-Run Knock on Day 3
Rachin Ravindra acknowledged the impact of Kohli’s innings on Day 3, saying, “He punished us,” in response to Kohli’s valiant 70-run effort. Kohli’s dismissal just before stumps was a significant blow to India’s chances. Despite New Zealand’s commanding first-innings lead of 356 runs, India, led by Rohit Sharma, demonstrated great resolve in their second innings.
At stumps, India was 231 for 3, trailing by 125 runs, with Sarfaraz Khan still at the crease. Kohli’s aggressive innings had shifted the momentum in India’s favor, but his dismissal on the last ball of the day swung the contest back toward New Zealand. Earlier, Ravindra’s century and Southee’s all-round effort had powered New Zealand past the 400-run mark, but India’s spirited fightback under favorable conditions kept alive the possibility of a dramatic turnaround in Bengaluru.