Rachin Ravindra and Tim Southee turned the tide in New Zealand’s favour, leaving India on the back foot on Day 3 of a thrilling Test match at Chinnaswamy Stadium on Friday.
Ravindra’s stunning century, combined with Southee’s explosive hitting, put New Zealand firmly in command, extending their lead to a formidable 299 runs by lunch, with the scoreboard reading 345/7.
The day began with India’s pace battery firing on all cylinders. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Siraj sent shockwaves through New Zealand’s camp with two quick wickets. Siraj trapped a gritty Daryl Mitchell for 18, and Bumrah followed up by dismissing Tom Blundell, shaking the Kiwis at 204/5. The Indian camp was abuzz with anticipation when Ravindra Jadeja joined the attack, quickly picking up Matt Henry and Glenn Phillips to leave New Zealand reeling.
But just when it looked like India would run through the tail, Rachin Ravindra and Tim Southee had other ideas. In a jaw-dropping counterattack, the duo built a crucial unbeaten 112 runs partnership that flipped the match on its head.
Initially steady, the pair began to assert themselves, with Ravindra anchoring the innings and Southee defending resolutely. However, what followed was pure fireworks. In the final four overs before lunch, they unleashed havoc on India’s bowlers, adding 58 runs in a brutal assault that left the crowd gasping.
Ravindra’s century—his second in Tests and his first on Indian soil—was a masterclass in timing and strokeplay. He reached the milestone in 125 balls, peppering the boundary with 11 fours and two towering sixes. Southee, meanwhile, bludgeoned anything in his arc, hammering sixes and boundaries to end the session unbeaten on 49, just one short of his half-century.
While Jadeja’s figures of 3/72 highlighted India’s earlier dominance, the bowling attack lost its sting as Ravindra and Southee seized control. Ravichandran Ashwin, usually so reliable on these pitches, struggled to contain the Kiwi onslaught.
With New Zealand leading by 299 runs and three wickets still in hand, India now faces an uphill battle to claw back into the game. The post-lunch session will be crucial for both sides—can India strike early, or will New Zealand’s lower order add to the already daunting lead? The contest is set for an exhilarating finish, but for now, the Kiwis are sitting pretty on top.
Brief scores
New Zealand 1st Innings: 345-7 (81 Overs); Rachin Ravindra 104* (125, 11 fours, 2 sixes), Tim Southee 49* (53); Ravindra Jadeja 20-7-72-3; India 1st Innings: 46 (31.2 Overs); Matt Henry 5/15.
