Fri Oct 18 08:50:00 UTC 2024: ## New Zealand Take Mammoth Lead, India Face Uphill Battle in Bengaluru Test
**Bengaluru, India:** New Zealand seized control of the first Test against India on Day 3, building a massive 356-run lead after bowling out the hosts for a paltry 46 in their first innings. Rachin Ravindra was the star of the day for the visitors, smashing a brilliant century (134 runs) to guide New Zealand to a formidable total of 402.
India, who had suffered their third-lowest Test score and lowest ever on home turf on Day 2, had a mountain to climb in their second innings. They made a cautious start, reaching 57-0 at tea, but still trailed by 299 runs.
Ravindra, resuming on his overnight score of 22, proved to be a thorn in India’s side. He continued his aggressive batting, striking 13 fours and four sixes before being the last wicket to fall. His eighth-wicket partnership with Tim Southee (65 runs off 73 balls), who also played with aggression, added further misery for the Indian bowlers.
Earlier, India’s bowlers had enjoyed some early success, with Mohammed Siraj dismissing Daryl Mitchell and Jasprit Bumrah removing Tom Blundell. However, Ravindra and Southee’s partnership turned the tide in favor of the Kiwis.
Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja, with three wickets each, were the pick of the Indian bowlers. However, their efforts were overshadowed by New Zealand’s batting dominance.
With a substantial lead and the Indian batsmen facing a tough challenge, the focus will now be on how India respond in their second innings. They will need to bat with immense resilience and fight back to salvage something from this Test. The fourth Indian to reach 9,000 Test runs, Virat Kohli, will be key to their hopes.
First Piper 