[AtheK]

KL is in a tough situation now, he is already in pressure and with Sarfu century he is in much more pressure now, if he fails that is it. He got enough chances, go back and make runs in domestic and make your place, Sarfaraz has made runs by bucket loads and deserves to be in top 11.

This inning has made it a very tough call for Rohit to drop him in next match, only player who can be axed is KL. Add to all of it Sarfaraz made these absolutely crucial runs in not his normal batting position.

[handsofsteel]

Even a draw here would be a morale boosting victory for us. Further, considering the recent run of the kiwis, it could deflate them knowing fully well that they were on top for 5 consecutive sessions and still couldn’t be said to be on top in the overall scheme.

[harry10]

Originally Posted by AtheK

KL is in a tough situation now, he is already in pressure and with Sarfu century he is in much more pressure now, if he fails that is it. He got enough chances, go back and make runs in domestic and make your place, Sarfaraz has made runs by bucket loads and deserves to be in top 11.

That's a valid point.
Now watch team management dropping Sarfu next game when Gill comes back, even if KL fails this innings I trust them to do this stupidity. Pant and Sarfraz are best players of spin in this team and should never be dropped in India barring fitness issues.

[anish41]

Originally Posted by harry10

That's a valid point.
Now watch team management dropping Sarfu next game when Gill comes back, even if KL fails this innings I trust them to do this stupidity.

On point, KL doesn't really have a kryptonite when it comes to his selection in the team.
I hope better sense prevails. By no means I'm saying KL Rahul is a bad player, but we should move on when we have better options at hand.

[PreludeSH]

Looking for a huge score from Sarfraz. Lad has waited for so long. The ground shows no trace of any rain. Why can't BCCI have such grounds everywhere given the money they have.

[NPV]

Amazing fightback by India, superb batting by Sarfaraz and Pant. After scoring 46 and NZ replying with a score almost 10x that, it is remarkable that we’re in this position now. This party should go on and we need at least 250 runs lead to put New Zealand out.
Crucial 10 overs or so with the new ball that India needs to weather out.

Edit: Sarfaraz out on 150, awesome knock in a very tough situation.

[searacer932]

Very good fightback by India. If India's lead goes beyond 220, then they will be the favorites to win. At present, the match is 75:25 in New Zealand's favor still.

[AtheK]

Oh damn, such a heartbreak!! Live by the sword, die by the sword.

I hope we put our head down and bat well to get to 200 lead anything less would put New Zealand as favorites.

Edit: KL Rahul needs to go, we can't have such a baggage!! Everyone puts there hands up when needed, except KL, and now we at backfoot again.

[NPV]

Pant out on 99! Probably the 7th time he’s got out in the 90’s in Tests.

William O’Rourke at it again, can we get 200+ runs lead? KL and the lower order have to step up.

Edit:KL out, this game has tilted back heavily in New Zealand’s favour.

[suhaas307]

Effectively 77/6 now, with KL Rahul falling for a peach, to be fair to him. Pant’s dismissal on 99 was so unfortunate.

If we can extend the lead to around150, we will have a chance to make a game of it.

[VWAllstar]

Originally Posted by suhaas307

Effectively 77/6 now, with KL Rahul falling for a peach, to be fair to him.

We have been TOO fair with KL. Hopefully, the management will wake up and keep SK in the playing XI and replace KL with Gill. KL is not Kohli or Rohit or in that league. He need to score in domestic circuit and earn his comeback, if there is one.

[Shumi_21]

Man what an agonizing last 30 minutes it was after an exhilarating partnership from Sarfaraz and Rishabh. We are effectively 82/6 now.

The last 3 wickets of NZ added 169 runs in the first innings. Can Jaddu emulate his namesake's brilliant batting? Can Ash do something with the bat after having an off day with the ball? No team has successfully chased a score of over 200 against India at home. Ash, Jaddu & Kuldeep would have to yet again put in a great performance with the bat and repeat it with the ball if India are to pull off a win here.

[suhaas307]

107 to win for NZ.

Honestly at the end of NZ’s 1st innings, it looked like we would lose by an innings.

Great come back by India in the 2nd innings surely, but the last 1 hour of play has been agonising to watch.

[NPV]

This game is now gone, it is what we all thought when India scored 46, but there was some hope after an amazing second innings resurgence. Cannot stress the importance of the lower order batting, in fact in most recent years that has been a key to our success, but alas not this time.

[Shumi_21]

Man what a day of cricket. Played out quite literally like a movie with the most amazing twists and turns giving just enough hope for a happily ever after, but turning heart wrenchingly tragic at the very end.

The fan in me says India lost their last 7 wickets for 54 runs, and if NZ can meet a similar fate, it's still game on. But like today's early morning win fantasy, it is on track to be just another illusion.