India vs New Zealand LIVE Score, 1st Test, Day 4: Rain Intensifies Again, Kumble's Grim Prediction Worries All | Cricket News

India vs New Zealand Day 4 Live: A great stat for Rishabh Pant

Here’s a remarkable stat. Rishabh Pant has crossed 50 in each of his last five innings, when he’s batted in the 3rd innings of a Test match. The streak goes back to 2022.

Three fifties and two centuries in that. He still has the chance to go more today.

India vs New Zealand Day 4 Live: Rain continues in Chinnaswamy

Rain is still on at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, very visible through the camera lens. More than hour now since rain halted action. The time for Lunch is over, and now it’s time to wait for when the rain stops.

India vs New Zealand Day 4 Live: Unpredictable rain

“Suddenly the rain has become heavier,” says Saba Karim. The rain is coming from the far end, where dark clouds are hovering.

“And suddenly the rain has stopped!” says Saba Karim. Unpredictable rain at Chinnaswamy.

India vs New Zealand Day 4 Live: Rain resumes!

Oh dear! The umbrellas are back on and rain has suddenly increased again at the Chinnaswamy. Right as we were getting optimistic about a quick restart. 

“Generally, it rains in the afternoon in Bengaluru, so we may get another bout of shower,” says Anil Kumble on air. Grim news.

India vs New Zealand Day 4 Live: Rain stops in Chinnaswamy

Great news. Saba Karim removes his umbrella on air. Reports that rain has stopped. Meanwhile, the fourth official is in conversation with ground staff. Assistant coach Abhishek Nayar is also present in the chat. Could play resume soon?

India vs New Zealand Day 4 Live: Conditions have improved

“Conditions have improved, and play will surely resume soon after lunch,” says Saba Karim on air. Great news for cricket fans.

India vs New Zealand Day 4 Live: Still raining in Chinnaswamy

Rain still seems to be quite heavy at the Chinnaswamy, with umbrellas still out. A restart at 12:00 PM, straight after Lunch, seems unlikely.

India vs New Zealand Day 4 Live: 12:00 PM start?

India and New Zealand will ideally restart play at 12 PM right after lunch, but it all depends on the weather. As it stands, we have heavy rain in Bengaluru for the first time since Day 1, and it’s not good news just yet.

India vs New Zealand Day 4 Live: Rain update

“Quite heavy rain,” reports Saba Karim on air from the ground. Not good news for the moment, but let’s keep fingers crossed.

Meanwhile, an earlier lunch has been taken given the conditions and the stoppage in play. 22 overs, 113 runs on Day 4 for India. 

India vs New Zealand Day 4 Live: As it happened

A recap of today’s play:

Abrupt rain cut short India’s chase of cutting down New Zealand’s lead, with India trailing by only 12 runs at the stoppage. Sarfaraz Khan and Rishabh Pant completed a 100-run partnership in just 20 overs on Day 4. Sarfaraz reached his maiden Test ton, after a range of high-risk shots. On the other hand, Pant started off slowly before completing his own half-century in just 55 balls.

India vs New Zealand Day 4 Live: The good news

The pitch is covered very well, and the Chinnaswamy’s drainage system is known to be one of the best in India. Let’s hope there isn’t much of a stoppage, because this is shaping into a fascinating Test match.

India vs New Zealand Day 4 Live: RAIN STOPS PLAY

Suddenly, it’s raining cats and dogs at the Chinnaswamy. A very abrupt stop to proceedings after a sudden downpour. Let’s hope play can resume soon. 

As it stands, India trail New Zealand by 12 runs.

IND 344/3 (71 overs)

India vs New Zealand Day 4 Live: 50 for Pant!

A magnificent drive through the covers for 4 to bring up a half-century! Rishabh Pant started off slow and steady, and he’s picked up brilliantly in the last 10 overs or so. Reaches his milestone in just 55 balls.

IND 344/3 (70.5 overs)

India vs New Zealand Day 4 Live: Rachin Ravindra has the ball

The hero with the bat for New Zealand will now try his luck with the ball. Left-arm spinner Rachin Ravindra takes up the ball. Sarfaraz continues his own merry game, and picks up more runs through the third man region.

IND 337/3 (70 overs)

India vs New Zealand Day 4 Live: 100-run partnership!

Sarfaraz heaves over long off and gets another boundary. 100-run stand between Sarfaraz and Pant. Aggressive, brave, high-risk but effective cricket by India. The pressure is all on New Zealand now, and it’s a matter of time before India takes the lead.

Pant is also nearing his fifty, on 46.

IND 334/3 (69 overs)

India vs New Zealand Day 4 Live: The big scare

Dark clouds, overcast grey conditions stay in the Bengaluru sky. The threat of rain isn’t zero, and the floodlights are shining bright.

IND 326/3 (68 overs)

India vs New Zealand Day 4 Live: The big scare

Dark clouds, overcast grey conditions stay in the Bengaluru sky. The threat of rain isn’t zero, and the floodlights are shining bright.

IND 326/3 (68 overs)

India vs New Zealand Day 4 Live: India trail by 34 runs

Sarfaraz and Pant are 9 runs away from completing a century stand. This has been a partnership of brave strokeplay, high-risk high-reward game. New Zealand have been pushed on to the back foot, and these two batters are on the up.

IND 322/3 (67 overs)

India vs New Zealand Day 4 Live: Now NZ review!

Very next ball, once again an LBW appeal. This time the umpire gives not out, Tom Latham reviews, but replays show there was an edge off the bat again. Pant continues to survive. Crazy stuff.

And oh! Final ball of the over, Pant goes over the top, long-off fails to take a diving catch, and Pant gets 4! Drama, drama!

IND 318/3 (66 overs)

India vs New Zealand Day 4 Live: Pant survives thanks to DRS

Rishabh Pant is given out LBW, but he reviews instantly. Replays show that there is clear bat involved, and Pant survives. Dramatic stuff at the Chinnaswamy. 

IND 314/3 (65.4 overs)

India vs New Zealand Day 4 Live: Pant dealing in sixes!

Two towering sixes over long on by Rishabh Pant off Ajaz Patel! The left-hander is coming into the mood now!

IND 314/3 (65.3 overs)

India vs New Zealand Day 4 Live: Crowd gathering at Chinnaswamy

The crowd is starting to increase at the Chinnaswamy. There may have been some gloomy faces after Kohli departed last ball of Day 3, but Sarfaraz and Pant have continued in maginificent style. 

IND 302/3 (65 overs)

India vs New Zealand Day 4 Live: Bad light scare increasing

Dinesh Karthik reveals on air that Sarfaraz Khan has informed both umpires multiple times regarding whether the light is good enough for play. So far, the umpires think it is. 

Meanwhile, a rare maiden over! Sarfaraz plays out six dots off Glenn Phillips.

IND 302/3 (65 overs)

India vs New Zealand Day 4 Live: 300 up for India

Sarfaraz continues his fancy strokeplay, scoops it over. The ball seemed to be running away for four, but an excellent bit of work by Conway saves two. Next ball, Sarfaraz scoops again, and gets 4! 300 up for India!

IND 302/3 (64 overs)

India vs New Zealand Day 4 Live: India steadily going along

Drinks being taken. A good hour of play for India. 63 runs added to the total, and NZ’s lead is only 62 now. No wickets lost, Sarfaraz has reached his first Test century, and Pant is steadily progressing. 

IND 294/3 (63 overs)

India vs New Zealand Day 4 Live: Glenn Phillips into the attack

Glenn Phillips, the man who got Virat Kohli out on the last ball of Day 3, is now into the attack. New Zealand switching from pace to spin, as we move into the second hour of play on Day 4.

IND 292/3 (62.1 overs)

India vs New Zealand Day 4 Live: Bad light concern?

It’s just past 10 AM, but the floodlights are already on at Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Overcast conditions, a lot of cloud cover. Let’s hope bad light doesn’t play spoilsport to an enthralling Test match.

IND 291/3 (61 overs)

India vs New Zealand Day 4 Live: First maximum of Day 4!

Rishabh Pant hits it big and handsome over long-off for six. He wants to enter the party now, and put pressure on the bowlers. Angles it past the slips for 4 on the final ball as well. 10 off the over, Pant up to 22.

IND 291/3 (61 overs)

India vs New Zealand Day 4 Live: 50 partnership!

Quickfire 50-run partnership between Sarfaraz Khan and Rishabh Pant, scored in less than an hour on Day 4. Excellent batting, despite the high-risk. Led by Sarfaraz, and supported well by Pant.

India trail New Zealand by 75 runs.

IND 281/3 (60 overs)

India vs New Zealand Day 4 Live: Ajaz Patel targets the slips!

A delivery by Ajaz Patel flies off Pant’s gloves and towards the slips. Luckily for him, it is beyond the first slip, but NZ have brought Ajaz to stop things.

IND 280/3 (59.4 overs)

India vs New Zealand Day 4 Live: Smashed by Sarfaraz!

Sarfaraz stands tall, deals with length, punched off the back foot through the offside. Exquisite strokeplay. Not just the high-risk aerials, Sarfaraz’s baseline technique is phenomenal too. 

IND 280/3 (58.2 overs)

India vs New Zealand Day 4 Live: India trail by 80 runs

It has been a fascinating first 45 minutes on Day 4. India have added 45 runs in 45 minutes, courtesy some brave strokeplay by Sarfaraz Khan. 

IND 276/3 (58 overs)

India vs New Zealand Day 4 Live: Sarfaraz’s crazy wagon-wheel

48 runs through gully and third man, 25 runs through fine leg and square leg. Just 2 runs out of 102 through the V. Exceptional wagon wheel showcasing Sarfaraz’s skill and composure. New Zealand have thrown the short ball at him, and he has responded in style.

India vs New Zealand Day 4 Live: HUNDRED FOR SARFARAZ!

Punched through the covers for four! Sarfaraz Khan completes his maiden Test century! India’s run-machine in domestic cricket is now delivering on the international stage. From a duck in the first innings to a magnificent hundred now. He has taken the risks, and it has paid off! He reaches his century in 110 balls.

IND 275/3 (57 overs)

India vs New Zealand Day 4 Live: Huge run-out chance missed!

What’s gone on there? Pant wanted 2 runs, Sarfaraz can be seen jumping about trying to deny a second run. Pant was way outside his crease, but New Zealand completely mess up the run out chance! Pant survives. Rohit Sharma is stunned in the dressing room at the miscommunication, Sarfaraz appears livid!

Pant counts his lucky stars and goes over mid-on for four!

IND 270/3 (55.5 overs)

India vs New Zealand Day 4 Live: Another risky stroke for four!

Rishabh Pant on this occasion! Angles with soft hands towards the slip cordon, falls just short of Tom Latham in short third man, and goes for four. New Zealand’s lead now UNDER 100.

India vs New Zealand Day 4 Live: 250 up for India

So risky (or clever?) from Sarfaraz! This time he edges it between the wicket-keeper and first slip for his fourth boundary of Day 4, and brings up India’s 250. Calculated risk-taking or rush of blood? So far, it’s paying off for Sarfaraz.

India vs New Zealand Day 4 Live: Risky strokeplay by Sarfaraz!

Sarfaraz is really trying his luck out there. Counter-attacking New Zealand. Playing the aerial game, putting them and the fielders under pressure, and it’s working! Devon Conway makes a slip-up in the deep, and Sarfaraz gets four more. He is in the 80s now.

IND 245/3 (52 overs)

India vs New Zealand Day 4 Live: Rishabh Pant off the mark

Pant off the mark off his third delivery. Flicks it to leg-side for a single. India edging towards 250 early on Day 4. New Zealand still have a significant lead of 115.

IND 241/3 (51.3 overs)

India vs New Zealand Day 4 Live: Sarfaraz continues charge

Two boundaries off Will O’Rourke’s over. Great start by Sarfaraz Khan to Day 4 proceedings. Sarfaraz is not afraid, and goes for the aerial route once again, between the fielders, for four. Brave stuff.

IND 240/3 (51 overs)