Former India cricketer Anil Kumble expressed that New Zealand's bowlers missed an opportunity during Day 4 of the 1st Test at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. He noted that Rishabh Pant and Sarfaraz Khan were exceptional in the morning session. Kumble highlighted that, despite many New Zealand players having IPL experience against these two batsmen, they failed to make the most of it and couldn’t create any significant chances. India had a strong start in the first session of Day 4, with Sarfaraz and Pant putting together a 113-run partnership off 132 balls.
"Both these two batters are certainly in a league of their own because, in terms of their run-scoring, they hit the ball to different parts of the ground. This is where I thought New Zealand missed a trick. A few Kiwis have been part of the IPL for a long time—they understand Sarfaraz and know about Rishabh Pant. But maybe that knowledge wasn’t passed on to the bowlers," Kumble told Jio Cinema.
Kumble also praised Sarfaraz for his aggressive batting approach against the New Zealand bowlers. His relentless attack helped him achieve his maiden Test hundred.
"It seems like the other aspect of bowling is that, with the kind of innings Sarfaraz plays, you always feel like you’re in with a chance because he stays inside the line. You’re hoping that the odd ball will get him to nick it to the wicketkeeper or slips. But he kept punishing New Zealand every time they bowled slightly on off-stump or even just outside off."
Sarfaraz and Pant stepped onto the field on the morning of Day 4 after Virat Kohli was dismissed for 70 on the final ball of the previous session. They quickly built on India's momentum from Day 3. The New Zealand bowlers struggled in the first session, missing a couple of key chances, and the left-arm spinner faced considerable difficulty as both batters capitalized on the opportunities presented to them.
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