"New Zealand Are Clueless": India Great Tears Into Visitors Amid Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant's Carnage

19.10.2024 - 16:13 sports.ndtv.com

Former India captain Anil Kumble has questioned New Zealand over their strategy in the second innings of the ongoing 1st Test in Bengaluru.

After gaining a lead of 356 runs in the innings, New Zealand were hoping to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. However, Indian batters, led by Sarfaraz Khan and Virat Kohli, have put up a strong fightback.

India were just 12 runs behind New Zealand before rain interrupted the proceedings on Day 4. While Kohli was dismissed on the final ball of Day 3, Sarfaraz hit his maiden Test century on Saturday.

Rishabh Pant too joined the party, smashing 53 off just 56 balls before rain returned at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Kumble was critical of the tactics deployed by New Zealand, suggesting that the visitors have looked clueless in the second innings. "New Zealand are clueless.

cricket India Cricket Team New Zealand Cricket Team Sarfaraz Khan 2024 Anil Kumble Rishabh Pant New Zealand India

India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant was run out on duck after a mix-up with Virat Kohli on Day 3 of the ongoing second Test against New Zealand on Saturday. The incident happened in the 23rd over with India chasing a mammoth 359 target to level the series. Ajaz Patel bowled a good length ball to Kohli, who guided it towards short third man. Kohli looked at Pant, who was at non-striker's end, hoping to steal a single. Both trusted each other and went for the run. However, Mitchell Santner fired a throw towards the keeper's end and Tom Blundell did the rest. Pant seemed to be struggling despite making a desperate dive to get inside the crease.

India Eye Historic First In Pursuit Of Never-Seen-Before Win vs New Zealand In Pune Test

The Indian cricket team is staring at a rare Test series loss after being outplayed by New Zealand in the first two matches of a three-game rubber. After suffering a shock eight-wicket defeat to the Kiwis in Bengaluru, India trail 0-1 in the series. In the ongoing second Test, the Rohit Sharma-led side conceded a 103-run lead in the first innings, before New Zealand extended their lead to 301 by the end of Day 2. New Zealand added just 57 runs to their overnight score of 198/5, setting India a target of 359.

"Gone Are The Days...": Ex-New Zealand Star Launches Scathing Criticism Of India Batting

Former New Zealand cricketer and broadcaster Simon Doull lambasted Indian batters for their poor batting performance against spinners Mitchell Santner and Glenn Phillips during the second Test against New Zealand at Pune, saying that it is a misconception that modern Indian players are good against tweakers, rather they are as vulnerable as overseas batters on good turning tracks. A shambolic batting performance during the first inning of the Pune Test might have just put the hosts India at a rare risk of a series loss home and has put their 12-year, 18 series-long unbeaten record at in jeopardy.

Watch: Rishabh Pant's Kick Prank Scares Sarfaraz Khan. Internet Says 'Missed By Inches'

Rishabh Pant is an entertainer on the field. Be it his instinctive batting or his constant talking from behind the stumps, there is never a dull moment when Pant is around. Even when he is not playing, Pant is no less. In a video that has gone viral after the first day of the second India vs New Zealand Test in Pune, Rishabh Pant can be seen playing a 'kick prank' on Sarfaraz Khan while the team was in a huddle. Sarfaraz moved a step back after Pant's 'attempt'.

Watch: Rishabh Pant's Instruction Backfires, Says "Merko Kya Pata Hindi Aati Hai"

Rishabh Pant continues to amaze the fans of Team India and cricket with his stump mic gold. In the second Test between India and New Zealand at Pune, Pant was back to his vocal best from behind the stumps, in what proved to be terrific entertainment for viewers. With Washington Sundar returning to the Test side after nearly three years, Pant chose to give his words of wisdom from behind the stumps. However, Pant's advice seemed to backfire hilariously, as Sundar got hit for a boundary.

Rishabh Pant's Hilarious 'Body Language' Remark Caught On Stump Mic, Wins Internet

Indian cricket team wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant is well known for his witty comments from behind the stumps and his hilarious comment has once again gone viral on Day 1 of the second Test match against New Zealand in Pune on Thursday. With Devon Conway going strong against the Indian bowlers, Pant decided to boost the morale of the team by coming up with a brilliant 'body language' remark. "Chalo chalo dheela nahi hona, body language uthana padega bhaiyo (Come on, we need to up the body language)," he was caught saying on the stump mic as Ravichandran Ashwin was bowling.