IND vs NZ: 1st Test, Day 4 Review – India in driver’s seat after a strong batting display
At one stage, it looked as if the Indian innings would fold up meekly. India were reduced to 51/5 in the second innings against New Zealand, and the Kiwis were all over the hosts. But then, half-centuries from Shreyas Iyer and Wriddhiman Saha helped India declare their second innings with the scorecard reading 234/7, and set their opposition a target of 284 for victory.
New Zealand ended the day with their scorecard reading 4/1. Let us take a look at the 4 talking points of Day 4.
1. Shreyas Iyer steps up yet again
Shreyas Iyer was once again the hero of the Indian side with the willow in hand. After scoring a century in the first innings, the debutant followed that up by scoring a superb 65 off 125 deliveries in the second to help India recover from 51/5. Iyer put on a timely partnership of 52 runs with Ravichandran Ashwin and followed that up with another valuable stand of 64 runs for the 7th wicket alongside Wriddhiman Saha to help India set New Zealand a challenging target of 284.
2. Ajinkya Rahane’s horrid run in 2021 continues
Ajinkya Rahane’s run with the willow in 2021 has gone from bad to worse. The right-handed batting veteran was dismissed for just 4 runs in the second innings, and his torrid run in 2021 in the whites continued. Rahane has scored just 411 runs in 21 innings in 2021 at an average of under 20.
3. Tim Southee impresses with his bowling
Tim Southee was superb with the red cherry in the Indian second innings. Southee first picked up the wicket of Mayank Agarwal, as the right-hander edged the Kiwi bowling veteran to the slip cordon. He followed that up by trapping Ravindra Jadeja plumb in front of the stumps for a duck.
Southee then proceeded to pick the wicket of the in-form Shreyas Iyer to finish the day with a three-wicket haul. In total, Southee bowled 22 overs and gave away 75 runs.
4. Lower order bails India out of trouble
India lost a heap of wickets in the morning session and were reduced to 51/5. But then, the lower order stood up for the hosts when it mattered. Ravichandran Ashwin proved that he can be extremely handy with the bat, and contributed 32 useful runs. After that wicketkeeper, Wriddhiman Saha too consumed 126 balls and scored a superb 61*. And, it was this vital contribution from the lower order that allowed India to gain the upper hand at the end of Day 4.
