In the current first Test match between India and New Zealand at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, the hosts may have fallen far behind, but Aakash Chopra believes they may yet pull off an unforgettable comeback.
Chopra gave the example of the 2001 Eden Gardens Test match against Australia, in which the team captained by Sourav Ganguly recovered from a poor first innings performance. In the second innings, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman put up an incredible partnership that helped India pull off a historic victory.
The former cricket player believes that by the time India bats in the second innings, the conditions will have significantly improved. He favored the host team to score between 400 and 450 points.
When it occurred in 2001, nobody had anticipated that it would occur. We didn’t think it could also happen, as was the case in Kanpur. This game is underway. Although I am not dreaming at the moment, it is a possibility. This is the end of the 46-run innings.
There will be decent wicket. Now, the rival bowlers who took ten wickets won’t bother you. Aakash Chopra remarked, “That’s the past.
“Ajaz Patel, Rachin Ravindra, and Glenn Phillips will now be the spin that comes. You should support one another. Even the batter at number eight has six hundred. Consequently, you could score 400–450 if you play like way. But in order to get there, you must first stop them because, if they get to the point where they may declare, India would lose this match,” the former cricket player turned commentator continued.
On Day 3, Rachin Ravindra delivers a whirlwind ton as India’s suffering continues.
New Zealand had a 134-run advantage at 180/3 at the beginning of Day 3. India showed indications of a comeback with a strong opening-day bowling performance, taking four wickets for 53 runs. To stop the Indian bowlers, though, former captain Tim Southee and the gifted Rachin Ravindra worked together.
Ravindra maintained his passion for India by displaying decisive footwork against the spinners and being equally comfortable against the pacers. The southpaw reached his century by striking a boundary off Ravichandran Ashwin on the stroke of lunch.
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At 345/7, New Zealand adjourned to lunch, with Southee and Ravindra still undefeated at 104 and 49, respectively. In the second session, they would like to extend the lead for the visitors, which has grown to 299.