India fight back against New Zealand, trail visitors by 125 runs

Virat Kohli’s composed 70 off 102 balls, combined with Sarfaraz Khan’s unbeaten 70, provided India a competitive chance after a challenging first innings.

India, facing a mammoth 402 set by New Zealand, got off to a shaky start as opener Yashasvi Jaiswal fell to Ajaz Patel for 35. Skipper Rohit Sharma contributed a solid 52 before being bowled in an unusual dismissal by Patel, just when he seemed to be asserting dominance.

However, the Kohli-Sarfaraz duo steadied the ship, adding a crucial 136 runs in 163 balls for the third wicket. This marked India’s first century partnership for the third wicket against New Zealand since 2014.

Kohli also reached a significant personal milestone, becoming the fourth Indian to surpass 9000 career Test runs, joining the ranks of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Sunil Gavaskar.

New Zealand’s bowlers struggled to break the partnership, with Glenn Phillips eventually dismissing Kohli with a catch behind the stumps, just before the close of play. Sarfaraz, meanwhile, remained not out at 70, playing with flair and confidence, including two massive sixes off Ajaz Patel.

Earlier in the day, New Zealand’s first innings total of 402 was powered by Rachin Ravindra’s masterful 134 and Tim Southee’s valuable 65, which contributed to a record-equalling eighth-wicket partnership against India. Despite India's early resistance, New Zealand's bowlers applied pressure, forcing India to rebuild from 95/2.

The weather forecast suggests overcast conditions heading into Day 4, which could provide more assistance to New Zealand’s pace attack. India, still trailing by 125 runs, faces a critical task of bridging the deficit and setting up a competitive fightback on a pitch that has begun to offer some turn.