Bengaluru, October 18, 2024 – In a thrilling contest on Day 3 of the first Test against New Zealand, Virat Kohli marked his return to form with a commanding half-century, his first since December 2023. Kohli reached the milestone with a score of 50 runs, joining an elite list of players with 31 Test fifties. His performance came during a crucial partnership with Sarfaraz Khan, who also showcased his batting prowess with a rapid-fire half-century.
After New Zealand posted a formidable total of 402 runs, powered by Rachin Ravindra's impressive 134 and Devon Conway's 91, India found themselves in a challenging position. New Zealand's batting display followed India's disappointing collapse for just 46 runs in their first innings. Despite this setback, Kohli and Sarfaraz’s partnership exceeded 100 runs, providing India with a much-needed boost.
New Zealand's innings featured notable contributions from Tim Southee, who added 65 runs to the scoreboard. India's bowling attack saw Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja shine, each taking three wickets to restrict the Kiwis to a competitive total.
As the match progresses into Day 4, India will look to build on their momentum and chase down the challenging target set by New Zealand, while the visitors aim to maintain their dominance. Fans are eagerly anticipating what promises to be an exciting continuation of this Test series.