Rachin Ravindra's Masterful Century Thwarts India's Comeback Plans
Initially, Ravindra took on the bulk of the scoring in their partnership. Displaying impressive footwork against the spinning ball, he adeptly maneuvered both forward and back in the crease to counter the threats posed by the Indian bowlers. Ravindra targeted Jadeja, hitting several boundaries and sixes, and also managed to unsettle Ravichandran Ashwin, who struggled to contain the scoring rate. One over from Ashwin saw the duo hammer 20 runs, leaving the off-spinner looking unusually ineffective.
Rachin Ravindra's magnificent second Test century solidified New Zealand's control on the third day of the first Test against India in Bengaluru. The left-handed batsman, with an unbeaten 104 runs off 125 balls, delivered a crucial counter-attack just when India had threatened to rein in the first innings damage with some early wickets in the morning session.
Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah both struck early, each claiming a wicket within the first 30 minutes of play. Ravindra Jadeja then added to India's momentum by taking two wickets in quick succession, leaving New Zealand in a precarious position at 233 for 7 after having been at 193 for 3. However, Ravindra found a capable ally in Tim Southee, who remained not out on 49, and together they forged a formidable unbroken partnership of 112 runs that effectively blunted India's charge.
Initially, Ravindra took on the bulk of the scoring in their partnership. Displaying impressive footwork against the spinning ball, he adeptly maneuvered both forward and back in the crease to counter the threats posed by the Indian bowlers. Ravindra targeted Jadeja, hitting several boundaries and sixes, and also managed to unsettle Ravichandran Ashwin, who struggled to contain the scoring rate. One over from Ashwin saw the duo hammer 20 runs, leaving the off-spinner looking unusually ineffective.
Despite Ravindra’s brilliance with the bat, India struggled with their composure during the latter part of the morning session. Their urgency to dismiss the tailenders resulted in inconsistency in their bowling execution. While Jadeja managed to create doubt in the batsmen’s minds, including Ravindra, India was unable to break the eighth-wicket partnership. As a result, New Zealand extended their lead to 299 runs, setting India a daunting task with conditions expected to become even more challenging over the next two days.
Ravindra’s extraordinary innings and the partnership with Southee erased much of the good work India had achieved in the early part of the day. After starting the session poorly, Siraj soon regained his rhythm and dismissed Daryl Mitchell, caught at gully. Bumrah then began to find his stride, picking up Tom Blundell’s wicket and effectively halting New Zealand's scoring momentum.
Glenn Phillips and Matt Henry entered the fray with the intention of scoring quickly but were both dismissed by the cunning bowling of Jadeja. At that juncture, it appeared India might be able to commence their second innings before the close of the session. However, Ravindra and Southee thwarted those aspirations, not only ensuring that New Zealand suffered no further damage but also putting India back on the back foot.
Match Summary:
- India 1st Innings: 46 (Matt Henry 5-15, William O'Rourke 4-22)
- New Zealand 1st Innings: 345/7 (Rachin Ravindra 104*, Devon Conway 91; Ravindra Jadeja 3-72)
- India Trail: 299 runs
Ravindra's century and his partnership with Southee underscored the shifting dynamics of the match, leaving India with a significant challenge ahead as they prepare for their second innings. The visitors have established a solid position, with Ravindra's performance serving as a stark reminder of the potential impact one player can have on the game. As the match heads into the final stages, all eyes will be on how India responds to the challenge laid down by New Zealand.
