Bengaluru Test: Ravindra ton puts Black Caps in command

Rachin Ravindra
Rachin Ravindra plays a shot. Photo: PTI/Shailendra Bhojak

Bengaluru: New Zealand were bowled out for 402 in response to India's 46 all out for a commanding first-innings lead of 356 on the third day of the rain-hit opening Test on Friday.

Rachin Ravindra made 134 and Tim Southee scored 65 after Devon Conway's 91 overnight. Ravindra Jadeja finished with 3/72 while Kuldeep Yadav bagged 3/99 for the home side. 

Resuming on 180/3 at a sun-baked M Chinnaswamy Stadium, the tourists rode on Ravindra's hundred to negotiate a tough opening session, with former captain Southee offering ample support.

Tim Southee
Tim Southee made a blistering 65. Photo: PTI/Shailendra Bhojak

Ravindra, who was born in Wellington but has family hailing from the south Indian city of Bengaluru, reached his second Test ton with a swept four off Ravichandran Ashwin to draw huge cheers from the home crowd.

The all-rounder forged an unbroken 112-run partnership with Southee as the duo heaped more misery on the hosts.

India had been dismissed for 46 in the first innings, their worst total on home soil, as New Zealand's fast bowlers dazzled on a gloomy Thursday morning after the opening day was washed out without a ball being bowled.

Daryl Mitchell fell for 18 on Friday morning, finding Yashasvi Jaiswal at gully with a loose shot against Mohammed Siraj, while Jasprit Bumrah had Tom Blundell (5) caught at slip by K L Rahul as sustained pressure by the two pacers paid off.

The duo beat the bat on numerous occasions in the opening hour but it was the introduction of spin that troubled the Black Caps, Ravindra Jadeja shattering the stumps of Glenn Phillips (14) to leave them on 223/6.

Matt Henry (8) perished in a similar manner after smashing a couple of boundaries as Jadeja claimed his third wicket but New Zealand hit back shortly after.

The comments posted here/below/in the given space are not on behalf of Onmanorama. The person posting the comment will be in sole ownership of its responsibility. According to the central government's IT rules, obscene or offensive statement made against a person, religion, community or nation is a punishable offense, and legal action would be taken against people who indulge in such activities.