Virat Kohli Last-Ball Dismissal Stuns India in Bengaluru Test Against New Zealand
On Day 3 of the first Test between India and New Zealand at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium, a dramatic end unfolded as Virat Kohli was dismissed on the final ball, sending a shockwave through the Indian camp. Kohli, who had reached a composed 70 runs, was leading India’s fightback before Glenn Phillips managed to extract an edge that was caught by Tom Blundell, leaving the Indian dressing room dismayed. Captain Rohit Sharma’s visible disappointment was a testament to the significance of the dismissal, which came just when India seemed to be clawing back into the game after trailing by 356 runs in the first innings.
Kohli’s performance, however, had its bright moments, as he surpassed the milestone of 9,000 Test runs during his knock. The setback came unexpectedly, with only one delivery left in the day, casting a shadow over what had otherwise been a steady innings by India. Although Kohli reviewed the decision after consulting with Sarfaraz Khan, replays confirmed a faint edge, shattering the hopes of Indian fans.
Heading into the fourth day, India finds itself at 231 for 3, still trailing New Zealand by 125 runs. Sarfaraz Khan remains unbeaten on 70, and either Rishabh Pant or KL Rahul is expected to join him at the crease. India’s second innings had begun with a solid start as Yashasvi Jaiswal (35) and Rohit Sharma (52) formed a 72-run partnership for the first wicket. Kohli and Sarfaraz further stabilized the innings with a 137-run stand for the third wicket, putting India in a relatively strong position before the crucial blow struck at the close of play.
The first innings saw India win the toss and opt to bat, but they crumbled for a record low of 46 runs, marking their lowest-ever Test score on home soil. In response, New Zealand posted a commanding total of 402, highlighted by Rachin Ravindra’s century and Devon Conway’s contribution of 91 runs. Additionally, Tim Southee’s valuable half-century helped the visitors secure a substantial lead, making the hosts’ task of saving the Test even more daunting.
The third day’s play had its fair share of twists and turns. India began their second innings with a mountain to climb, but early partnerships offered hope for a remarkable turnaround. Yet, Kohli’s dismissal at a pivotal moment tipped the scales in New Zealand’s favor, with Glenn Phillips emerging as the unlikely hero by delivering the crucial breakthrough. The Black Caps’ bowlers had already established dominance by bundling India out cheaply in the first innings, and Phillips’ dismissal of Kohli added to their list of critical accomplishments in the match.
New Zealand’s solid batting display in the first innings laid the foundation for their upper hand in the game. Rachin Ravindra’s composed hundred and Devon Conway’s 91 were instrumental in their substantial lead, while contributions from other players, including Tim Southee’s fifty, added valuable runs to the scoreboard. New Zealand’s strategy had been clear: build a strong first-innings score and pressure India into mistakes. Their execution so far has brought them closer to achieving a potential victory.
For India, the road ahead remains challenging as they look to overcome the significant deficit on Day 4. The hosts will rely on the lower-middle order to extend their resistance and chip away at the target. Much will depend on how Sarfaraz Khan and the incoming batters can handle New Zealand’s bowling attack, which has consistently troubled the Indian lineup throughout the Test.
Kohli’s last-ball dismissal served as a stark reminder of the game’s unpredictable nature, highlighting the thin line between a resilient recovery and a collapse under pressure. As the Test match progresses, both teams will continue to wrestle for control, but New Zealand currently holds the advantage with the hosts facing an uphill battle. The Indian team will aim to make the most of their remaining batting resources in a bid to narrow the gap and potentially set up an intriguing final day of cricket.
With the fourth day’s play set to resume, all eyes will be on Sarfaraz Khan and his efforts to steer India out of trouble, while New Zealand will look to capitalize on their momentum and push for a decisive victory.