India vs New Zealand highlights, 1st Test, Day 4: Rain forces early stumps in Bengaluru; New Zealand need 107 runs to win after India all out for 462 in second innings

Moments earlier, the fourth umpire was out on the field but he had the umbrella on. It is a mild drizzle but enough to delay a re-start.

The drizzle continues to eat into second session as fans at the Chinnaswamy patiently wait for a restart.

The post-lunch session was supposed to start at 12 noon but the weather has already spoiled 50 minutes of it. Hopefully, there will be some good news soon.

The rain is quite heavy now and things not looking good at the moment. The wait continues...

For a 17-year-old being greeted by superstar Virat Kohli with a bow and folded hands is stuff of wild dreams.

But for Sarfaraz Khan, the unimaginable came true when Kohli's gesture for him put the young batter on cloud nine.

It was April 29, 2015 and Sarfaraz had just scored a cracking 21-ball 45 for Royal Challengers Bengaluru down the order to propel his side to 200 for 7 in an IPL clash against Rajasthan Royals.

And as soon as Sarfaraz wrapped up his unbeaten knock, skipper Kohli came onto the field with a big smile on his face and a lovely gesture.

The rain is coming down heavily now and the Indian players can be seen in the dressing room, eagerly awaiting.

There are a few smiles around in the Indian camp but this rain delay comes as a good thing for the Kiwis.

They looked absolutely clueless in the morning session and the long break will help them regroup and re-think their strategies.

Ohh no! The unpredictable weather! Surprisingly, the rain has once again gotten heavier. So now, we definitely won't be starting on time now and there will be a delay in resumption.

The post-lunch session won't be starting at 12 pm but the good news is that the rain has stopped. Some movement can be seen on the field and resumption of action is expected soon.

The natural light has improved a bit but it remains overcast at the moment with light drizzle still around. The fourth umpire was just seen talking to the groundsmen and India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar was with them as well.

The square and the bowlers' run up remain covered as there is still a bit of a drizzle in Bengaluru. Saba Karim can be seen holding an umbrella while to doing his on-air duties for the host broadcasters.

The outfield hasn't been covered as the Chinnaswamy has an excellent drainage system and groundsmen can get the ground ready in no time. But for that, the showers have to stop completely.

Sarfaraz Khan slammed his first Test century as the hosts pared back their yawning deficit against New Zealand on day four of the rain-hit opening Test on Saturday.

India were 344 for 3 when rain stopped play towards the end of the morning session and lunch was called early in Bengaluru.

India still trail by 12 runs after conceding a lead of 356 in the first innings.

Sarfaraz, on 125, and wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant, on 53, were batting in an unbeaten stand of 113 after India began the day on 231 for 3.

Sarfaraz, a middle-order batter playing his fourth Test, began the day on 70 and tackled the New Zealand pace bowlers with late cuts and chops behind the wicket.

He then punched a boundary off the back foot through cover off Tim Southee to raise his ton as he roared and ran, earning a hug from Pant and a standing ovation from fans and teammates.

Pant, who came to bat after resting on day three with a knee injury, raised his fifty with a boundary.

It was the same knee he hurt in a serious car crash in December 2022 that forced him out of action for more than a year.

India were bowled out for 46 in the first innings, their lowest total at home.

New Zealand's Rachin Ravindra put the tourists ahead with 134, steering them to 402 all out.

Sarfaraz and Virat Kohli led India's fightback in an attacking stand of 136 before Glenn Phillips struck on Friday's last ball to get Kohli caught behind for 70.

The opening day's play was washed out due to rain.

So, rain has forced early lunch on Day 4 as India trail New Zealand by just 12 runs. The hosts started 356 runs behind and it has been an incredible effort from India in the second innings.

Lunch has been taken at 11:20 am IST and play will resume at 12 pm if weather gods allow.

However, the highlight of the session was Sarfaraz Khan, who led India's fight with a maiden Test ton. Showcasing great temperament, Sarfaraz brought out his ton off 110 balls and went into the break unbeaten on 125.

Alongside him, Rishabh Pant too was at his fluent best as brought up his 12th Test fifty.

Both have so far added 113 unbeaten runs together for the fourth wicket.

39 - MS Dhoni (144 innings)
18 - Farokh Engineer (87 innings)
18 - Rishabh Pant (62 innings)
14 - Syed Kirmani (124 innings)

There was forecast for some rain and it has now started to come down. The drizzle has started and the players rush towards the dressing room.

The groundsmen are charging in with the covers.

It was dark and gloomy for the last 30 minutes and finally the rain has come down, forcing stoppage of play.

The rain is looking fairly heavy now and an early lunch is on the cards now!

But, the key is, India now just trail New Zealand by 12 runs.

A solid performance this has been from Rishabh Pant. Raises his 12th Test fifty and it has come off just 55 balls. Pant got injured on the second day and didn't keep wickets on the third but with an injured knee, he has played an incredible knock in Bengaluru. Both Pant and ton-up Sarfaraz Khan have dealt severely with the Kiwi bowlers in the morning session and India now trail the visitors by just 13 runs. Pant raises his fifty with a boundary off Glenn Phillips to extra cover fence. IND 343/3

FOUR! Dispatched! Sarfaraz Khan ends Glenn Phillips' over with a meaty blow down the ground. It was a tossed up delivery on the full from Phillips and Sarfaraz belted it down town, comfortably beating the fielder at long-off. IND 334/3 in 69 overs, trail by 22 runs

With spinners operating at both ends for New Zealand, both Sarfaraz Khan and Rishabh Pant are looking in control. They have been attacking both Glenn Phillips and Ajaz Patel and have so far added 95 runs for the fourth wicket. India now trail by just 30 runs. After a four-run over from Ajaz, Phillips will continue from the other end for the Kiwis. IND 326/3 in 68 overs

Decision overturned! After getting hit for a couple of sixes, Ajaz Patel traps Rishabh Pant in front of the stumps and the on-field decision is out from the umpire. Pant sent it upstairs straightaway, indicating that he knew there was bat involved. Ultra-Edge confirms that there is an inside edge before the ball hit Pant's pads. Pant survives with the help of a review! IND 314/3

6.0,6 - Rishabh Pant goes after Ajaz Patel, smacking his for a couple of sixes in three balls. Two solid strikes down the ground and the crowd at the Chinnaswamy is up on its feet. Incredible striking from Pant as he cuts down the Kiwi lead to under 50.

FOUR! FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries for Sarfaraz Khan off Ajaz Patel as he continues to score freely against the Kiwis. Sarfaraz attempted a couple of paddle sweeps and found the fence on both occasions. On the first occasion, Sarfaraz got the top edge that ran away to the fence and on the second attempt he was in much more control. With the consecutive boundaries, 300 also came up for India.

So, the first hour of play is done on the fourth day and India's fightback in this Test continues. Sarfaraz Khan, who began the session on 70, raised his maiden Test ton and is currently on 107 and looking well settled. He has Rishabh Pant batting with him at the other end and he has got to 23. Both have together raised 63 runs in the session so far and India now trail by just 62 runs. The clouds are circling around and the floodlights are on but the Kiwis have failed to get a breakthrough yet. IND 294/3 in 63 overs

SIX! A monster strike from Rishabh Pant straight down the ground. It was a length delivery from Tim Southee outside off and Pant read it early. He swings his bat and middles this one to perfection. The ball sails over the sightscreen for a maximum. IND 286/3, trail by 69 runs

Ajaz Patel comes into the attack for the first time on Day 4 and starts off with a tight one-run over. Both Sarfaraz Khan and Rishabh Pant have added 45 runs together in the morning session so far. Both looking really good in the middle at the moment. Tim Southee will continue from the other end for New Zealand. IND 276/3

What a player! What a knock! Sarfaraz Khan raises his maiden Test ton against New Zealand and it has come off just 110 balls. A terrific knock this has been from the youngster.

Playing only his fourth Test, Sarfaraz fires his maiden century. He already had four fifties to his name. And now, here in Bengaluru, he has raised an incredible ton.

13 fours and three sixes in his knock so far and he has cut down India deficit to under 90.

Gets to his century with a boundary off Tim Southee and jumps in the air. A standing ovation from the Indian camp as Sarfaraz roars in joy. Gets a big hug from partner Rishabh Pant as well.

A run out chance goes down begging. Sarfaraz Khan and Rishabh Pant are involved in a terrible mix-up but the Kiwis fail to convert a chance into a wicket. As Sarfaraz guided a Matt Henry ball to third-man, both Khan and Pant took off for a single. Pant was eager to return for the second but Sarfaraz was not interested. He said no but Pant didn't listen and kept running. Sarfaraz was then seen jumping and shouting, saying no for the second run but by that that Pant had covered too much of the ground. Fortunately the throw was not good from Conway at the fence and keeper Blundell, ahead of the stumps, too didn't collect the ball well.

FOUR! Another boundary for Sarfaraz Khan in the third-man region as he ends the Matt Henry over with a four. It was a back of length delivery outside off from Henry and Sarfaraz dabbed it late, finding the gap perfectly between the slip and the gully fielder. A 10-run Henry over comes to an end. IND 261/3 in 54 overs, trail by 95 runs

FOUR! Streaky but Rishabh Pant will take it. With the wicketkeeper standing up, Matt Henry bowls a length ball around off and Pant gets a thick-ish outside edge and the ball races to the third-man fence. Pant played it with soft hands and the ball didn't carry to the fielder at first slip.

Three overs into the day and Sarfaraz Khan has kicked off in style. He has already hit three boundaries so far and with Kiwis bowling him wide outside off, he has been targeting the backward-point and third-man region for runs. Sarfaraz is in his 80s and is marching strongly towards his maiden ton. Rishabh Pant too is off the mark for India. A five-run over from Matt Henry comes to an end. William ORourke will continue from the other end for the Kiwis. IND 245/3

FOUR! Deft touch! Incredible shot from Sarfaraz second over into the day. William ORourke digs in a short ball that is outside off and Sarfaraz Khan effortlessly ramps it to third-man fence for his and India's first boundary of the day. IND 236/3, trail by 120 runs

0 0 0 0 1 0 - Matt Henry is on the money in the first over of the day. Just a single came off his first over on the fourth day. William ORourke to share the ball with Henry from the other end for the Kiwis. IND 232/3

Sarfaraz Khan and Rishabh Pant are out in the middle to begin Day 4 for India. Well, Pant who got injured has walked out to bat and seems fine. He has a smile on his face. Sarfaraz is on strike and Matt Henry will open the attack for the Kiwis. A slip in place for Henry. Here we go!

Positives signs in the Indian camp! In the warm-up session, Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir were just seen sharing a smile with other players around. Rishabh Pant was also spotted doing gentle jogs. So that is a good sign for India! Who will come out to bat with Sarfaraz Khan? Will it be KL Rahul or Pant? Session 1 commences soon!

There was a bit of overnight rain but nothing of that sort at the moment. There are a few clouds around and some rain is expected today but we should have a timely start. Players can be seen warming up on the sidelines.

Each time New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra is asked about his Indian lineage or his Bengaluru connection, he speaks about how special his parents’ hometown is.

There is no denying the 24-year-old has a deep-rooted connection with the city, particularly the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

During the 50-over World Cup last year, he came up with a swashbuckling century (108) against Pakistan at the venue; and on Friday, he showcased why he is an exciting package of class and craft.

On the third day, India did really well in the second and third sessions to significantly reduce their deficit. After starting 356 runs behind, India managed to cut down quite a lot of New Zealand's lead, scoring at 4.71 RPO.

However, the hosts trail by another 125 runs and the Kiwis are still ahead in this contest.

The fall of Virat Kohli on the final ball of the third day was a big blow for India and Sarfaraz Khan, who is on 70 not out, will be in spotlight today.

Alongside him, KL Rahul will also be in focus as he is also due for runs.

Injured Rishabh Pant was seen doing batting practice yesterday and should come out to bat.

A very interesting day of play lies ahead of us!

Former Indian coach Ravi Shastri, who is well known for his witty comments, delivered a humorous moment in the commentary box after spotting a fan enjoying an ice cream during the third day of the India-New Zealand first Test in Bengaluru.

Indian wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav expressed his observations regarding the pitch conditions, stating that it has begun to provide some assistance to the spinners.

He also conveyed his confidence in the Indian batsmen to establish a substantial lead in their second innings, which would enable the spinners to make a significant impact on the match.