Virat Kohli broke into a loud cheer and Rohit Sharma joined him, as Sarfaraz Khan reached his maiden Test hundred. This Indian team might occasionally suffer batting implosions like 46 all out against New Zealand in the first innings in Bangalore. They might lose a game or two here and there. But they are never defeated. There's a winning mentality in the dressing-room. No wonder that it is a happy dressing-room.
India’s comeback in the ongoing first Test was the merry song of a collective resolve, a fighting spirit that sets this team apart. And this is not new. In 2020-21, they came back from 36 all out in Adelaide to win the Test series in Australia. Here, they have bounced back from 46 all out to put New Zealand under pressure.
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Sarfaraz and Rishabh Pant briefly rekindled the memories of VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid’s association at Eden Gardens in 2001. That 376-run partnership against Steve Waugh’s all-conquering changed Indian cricket. Sarfaraz and Pant put on 177 runs for the fourth wicket. It restored belief.
“Chalao talwar (get your knives out),” Rohit had said, as he faced the media at the end of the first day's play. He was candid about his mistake, that he misread the pitch and chose to bat after winning the toss. An India captain publicly owning up his mistake offered a novelty. Also, there was a resolve that he was willing to turn it around.
After conceding a 356-run first innings lead, Rohit led from the front and batted brilliantly to score a half-century. He was a tad unlucky to be out played-on. Kohli oozed class during his 70 off 102 balls. In fact, the real fightback started via his 136-run third wicket partnership with Sarfaraz. But the hosts needed someone to score a daddy hundred.
Sarfaraz, who wouldn't have played this Test, if Shubman Gill were fit, stood up to be counted. The youngster perished for a duck in the first innings. In the second dig, he revelled in his Azad Maidan batting. It was khadoos, and it was beautiful. Sarfaraz was resplendent in his unorthodoxy, as he made 150 off 195 balls.
Spare a thought for Pant as well, who braved a knee injury to score 99 off 105 balls. Together, he and Sarfaraz put New Zealand on the back foot.
The tourists cracked the game open again after the partnership was broken. India started to lose wickets at regular intervals and the Kiwis yet again gained a significant upper hand. But through their second innings fightback India will take a lot of positives from this game, irrespective of the outcome.
India was bowled out for 46 in 31.2 overs in the first innings. They reached 400/3 in 80 overs in the second. Test cricket has always been a metaphor for life that gives you a second chance. India, as is their wont, refused to give up.
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