After a disappointing 46 in their first innings, India’s top five made a significant contribution to help the team recover by the end of the third day.
As the sky turned gloomy at the start of the fourth day, Rishabh Pant and Sarfaraz Khan formed a formidable partnership for the fourth wicket, holding off the Kiwis even through a rain delay during lunch.
However, the second new ball proved effective for the visitors, with Tim Southee dismissing Sarfaraz for 150, setting the stage for Pant’s explosive response.
Following a bye and a dot ball, Southee came around the wicket in the 87th over and bowled a length ball to Pant. The left-hander got inside the line and struck it perfectly, sending the ball soaring towards the top tier near Cubbon Park for an impressive 107-meter six.
𝗢𝘂𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸! 😍
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 19, 2024
Rishabh Pant smacks a 1⃣0⃣7⃣m MAXIMUM! 💥
Live – https://t.co/FS97Llv5uq#TeamIndia | #INDvNZ | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/4UHngQLh47
Pant’s flawless shot left Rahul in awe, while the reactions from Glenn Phillips, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell, and fans on Twitter echoed the same astonishment.