CRICKET
Day 4: Iyer rescues India again
India is in a very good position to win this match as they set a target of 284 runs for New Zealand in a exciting day of test cricket.
New Zealand lost Will Young just minutes before stumps on day 4.
India 111.1 overs 345 all out
S. Iyer 105 (171) Southee 5-69 Gill 52 (93) Jamieson 3-91
New Zealand 142.3 overs 296 all out
T. Latham 95 (282) Axar 5- 62 W. Young 89 (214) Ashwin 3-82
India 81 overs 234-7 Dec
Iyer 65 (125) Jamieson 3-40 Saha 61* (126) Southee 3-75
New Zealand 5 overs 4-1
Latham 2*(13) Ashwin 1-3 Young 2 (6)
Ashwin picked up an important wicket of the Kiwi opener, Will Young just a few moments before stumps.
This was a big blow to New Zealand as Young looked in great touch in the 1st innings.
India started very badly today as they were struggling at 51-5 at one stage.
However, the debutant Iyer played another superb inning with the lower order to rescue his side.
Saha also played a crucial knock after the dismissal of Iyer and helped his side to set a target of 284 runs on the board.
Ravi Ashwin 32 (62) and Axar Patel 28 (67) also contributed to the total.
Southee and Jamieson picked up 3 wickets each.
Kiwi bowlers shine in the morning session
New Zealand bowlers were spectacular in the morning session and they just destroyed the Indian top order.
India started the day at 14-1, and they lost the second wicket on 32 runs when Pujara was dismissed by Jamieson.
After this wicket, India faced a big collapse as half of the Indian side went to the pavilion on a score of just 51 runs.
The New Zealand seamers were outstanding in the first session, they bowled with some great lines and lengths.
Ajaz Patel picked up the wicket of the Indian skipper Ajinkya Rahane, who is totally out of form in recent times.
Lower order rescues India
The lower order clicked at the right time to rescue their side from 51-5 to 234-7.
S. Iyer and Ashwin first put a 52 runs stand for the 6th wicket.
Ashwin was clean bowled by Kyle Jamieson on 32 runs but Iyer continued his brilliant form on debut and made another 50 run partnership with Saha this time.
Iyer scored a crucial 65 runs before getting caught by Blundell in Southee’s over.
India lost Iyer just before tea when the lead was 216 runs.
Saha delivered at the right time when his side needed him to score some important runs.
The third consecutive fifty-run stand was put up by India’s lower order.
Saha and Axar had an unbeaten 67 run stand for the eighth wicket.
Saha remained not out on 61 runs off 126 balls including 4 fours and 1 six.
Axar Patel also scored an important unbeaten knock of 28 runs.
India declared their innings on 234 runs and set a target of 284 runs for New Zealand.
New Zealand will now require 280 runs to win this match on the final day with 9 wickets in hand.
It will be very tough for the Black Caps to chase down this total against the dangerous spin attack of team India on a day 5 pitch.
No visiting team has chased a target of more than 276 runs in India in the last few years.
It will be a great contest tomorrow between the New Zealand batters and Indian spinners but India is definitely looking the favorites to win this match now.