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The first Test match between India and New Zealand at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru witnessed a dramatic turn of events on Day 4. Rishabh Pant, who had returned to the field after a knee injury, showcased his aggressive batting prowess, scoring a valiant 99 runs in India's second innings. Pant's knock was crucial in helping India gain a crucial lead over the Kiwis, but his dismissal for 99 just one run short of his 7th Test century left the Indian team and fans disheartened. He narrowly missed surpassing MS Dhoni's record for the most Test centuries by an Indian keeper-batter, which stands at 7.
Pant's innings was marked by his characteristic big shots and fearless approach against the New Zealand bowling attack. He took the spinners, Ajaz Patel and Rachin Ravindra, to task, smashing them for boundaries and sixes. He even charged down the track to hit William O'Rourke for a boundary. His aggressive style of play and his ability to take on the bowlers irrespective of their reputation have become a hallmark of Pant's batting. However, it was O'Rourke who ultimately got the better of Pant, trapping him leg before wicket with a ball that kicked up from short of a length and surprised Pant on the defensive.
This marked the seventh time Pant has been dismissed in the nervous nineties in Test cricket. Had he converted those opportunities into centuries, his current Test ton tally would have stood at 13. The disappointment was evident among the Indian team members, with Mohammed Siraj and Ravindra Jadeja expressing visible distress in the dressing room, while Virat Kohli, sitting behind them, was visibly shocked. KL Rahul, who was at the non-striker's end, was also seen on his haunches. Despite the heartbreak of missing the century, the crowd gave a standing ovation to Pant, acknowledging his impressive performance and his resilience in returning from injury.
The match has been a roller-coaster ride for India, with a disastrous first innings where they were bundled out for a meager 46 runs. They then had to overcome a 356-run deficit after New Zealand posted 402 runs in their first innings. However, India bounced back strongly in the second innings thanks to centuries from Pant and Sarfaraz Khan, who scored 150 runs. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma also contributed half-centuries, showcasing their experience and batting prowess. The Test match has been progressing at a rapid pace, given that the first day was washed out due to rain. Despite the intermittent rain on Day 4, the match has been filled with action and excitement. Pant's valiant effort and near-miss of a historic century only added to the drama and intrigue.