India vs New Zealand, Highlights, Kolkata Test, Day 4: India go No 1 in Tests with win

Virat Kohli: Brilliant Test cricket wicket. It was a complete all-round performance by us. Very important to get those extra runs. Took character to bounce back every time. Saha is the best keeper in the country right now. He’s wonderful behind the stumps and with the bat as well. Second innings the NZ bowlers bowled really well. Then Rohit comes in and played a lot of positive cricket. Showed positive intent. In the last session, the crowd helped us take the wickets. Helped someone like Shami steaming in. That’s why the extra effort to get the crowd to get behind the team. (ON NO 1) That’s our objective,to keep playing consistent cricket. Rankings is not always in our hand, but with the coming home season, we have control over that.

Ross Taylor: Very impressive the way the bowlers struck and the conditions were testing. Credit to India, the way they fought. To be honest, it was a little different, but a good wicket nevertheless. The partnership between Rohit and Saha took it away from us. The way Latham batted today was outstanding. Plenty of positives to take away from this Test, and we have nothing to lose in the next one. Good to see Williamson in the ground today, but hopefully he’ll be back in the nets soon.

Wriddhiman Saha: Very happy for winning the series and getting the Man of the Match. Crowd has supported me a lot. I just did my job behind the stumps (on keeping on a difficult pitch).

Wriddhiman Saha is the Man of the Match for his two half-centuries!

MEET THE NEW No.1 TEST SIDE - #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/q2a38mAYsl

— BCCI (@BCCI) October 3, 2016

Indns win series thumpingly-Kiwis look much worse than they actually R!only competitive players cn keep Test Crkt alive!No room fr tamashas!

— Bishan Bedi (@BishanBedi) October 3, 2016

Update: If India manage to draw/win the final Test, they’ll remain No 1 even if Pakistan whitewash the three-match Test series against West Indies on home soil.

The result couldn’t have been more satisfactory for the hosts, and especially for skipper Virat Kohli, who is yet to lose a Test on home soil as of now! Shami ends with figures of 3/46, with the match belonging to the pacers all the way in this match!

Congrats Team India on winning the series&becoming the number 1 team in Tests👏I am sure they will hold this position for a long time👍 @BCCI

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) October 3, 2016

.@imVkohli has not yet lost a Test at home...in fact he has not even lost a toss at home!#IndvsNZ

— Rajneesh Gupta (@rgcricket) October 3, 2016

Bhuvneshwar: We generally don’t get these wickets. Throughly enjoyed it. When you’re out of the team, you mature in terms of what is needed to come back into the team. Shami is most lazy in the team, but gives his hundred percent on the field. Its a sweet victory for us. 

After 81.1 overs, New Zealand 197 (Neil Wagner 5); India win by 178 runs

Just two more over to go today! Can the hosts end it today itself? OUT! India win by 178 runs! Shami removes Boult, with Vijay taking the catch near short third man to end the game! India are now the No 1 side in the world, and it had to happen in their 250th Test! 

Shami bangs in a short on, which Boult top-edges. Vijay shuffles back, and collects the catch! Celebrations all over the park, with the Eden crowd going jubilant at the prospect of dislodging India from the top spot in the ICC Test rankings. 

A lot of daily contractors wanting this last wicket pair to bat out the day😊 #INDvNZ

— Gaurav Kapur (@gauravkapur) October 3, 2016

After 81 overs, New Zealand 197/9 (Neil Wagner 5, Trent Boult 4); Need 179 more to win

New ball taken by the Indians with three more to go after this. Bhuvneshwar handed the new ball. Bhuvi fires a couple of inswingers, giving three runs away in the first two balls. Plenty of rotation of strike between the two this over, which has barely happened in the last few overs. Bhuvi ends the over with a couple of outswingers.

Majority of the press box has become a cheering squad. Embarrassing really. #IndvNZ

— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) October 3, 2016

Talking about Gambhir’s missed chance, how cool would it have been if he had sealed India’s historic winning moment, with India becoming the new No 1 side in Tests!

After 80 overs, New Zealand 192/9 (Neil Wagner 2, Trent Boult 2); Need 184 more to win

Shami goes for a loud appeal for lbw in the first ball, but umpire Rod Tucker turns it down. Replays show an inside edge off Wagner’s bat. Another leading edge off Wagner’s bat in the fourth ball, although the ball lands short of Rahane in the slips. New ball due after this over. Wonder if Kohli will introduce another pacer next?

After 79 overs, New Zealand 192/9 (Neil Wagner 2, Trent Boult 2); Need 184 more to win

Jadeja back with the ball. Will he get the final wicket? Well Henry and Boult are blocking the deliveries quite well right now (almost as if its Day 5, and they’s playing for a draw). DROPPED! Gambhir nearly took a blinder at short-leg, but failed to hold on in the last second.

Have a sense Kohli might dedicate the Test number one spot to the soldiers. #IndvsNZ #INDvNZ

— Suneer (@suneerchowdhary) October 3, 2016

Wriddhiman Saha would be my Man of the Match... two peachy innings on a difficult track, both under pressure! Precious contribution #IndvsNZ

— Navneet Mundhra (@navneet_mundhra) October 3, 2016

After 78 overs, New Zealand 192/9 (Neil Wagner 2, Trent Boult 2); Need 184 more to win

Shami returns to the attack in the 78th over, replacing Ashwin (kind of expected wasn’t it?). Meanwhile, the light is getting worse right now, and the extension of play looks bleak. Bowls some good variations — firing a bouncer, followed by a sucker ball. The crowd is on their feet right now, sensing the win. Five overs left.

Sorry, Pakistan. Your reign on top of ICC Test rankings was so short-lived. In any case, it was owed mostly to Caribbean hurricanes #IndVsNZ

— Shekhar Gupta (@ShekharGupta) October 3, 2016

Sorry, Pakistan. Your reign on top of ICC Test rankings was so short-lived. In any case, it was owed mostly to Caribbean hurricanes #IndVsNZ

— Shekhar Gupta (@ShekharGupta) October 3, 2016

Just fantastic watching a Test match at Eden Gardens! Just an awesome ground to play cricket! #Kolkata

— Dean Jones AM (@ProfDeano) October 3, 2016

After 77 overs, New Zealand 192/9 (Neil Wagner 2, Trent Boult 2); Need 184 more to win

The equation for India comes down to one wicket after Jadeja manages to remove Henry, with Kohli taking a fine one-handed catch near short cover.

OUT! Superb catch by Kohli at short cover, as Jadeja grabs his third wicket! Henry was looking to drive this flighted delivery along off through the coves, but did not expect the opposition skipper to take a fine one-handed catch! 

Matt Henry c Virat Kohli b Ravindra Jadeja 18(44)

After 76 overs, New Zealand 190/8 (Matt Henry 18, Neil Wagner 2); Need 186 more to win

Ashwin starts off with the carrom ball to Wagner at the start of the 76th (trying some variations here is it?). Wagner is blocking away all the deliveries at the moment, which is also the approach by Henry, though he is getting a couple of runs here and there.

After 75 overs, New Zealand 190/8 (Matt Henry 18, Neil Wagner 2); Need 186 more to win

DROPPED! Edged off Henry’s bat, the ball travels the slip-specialist Rahane, who fails to hold on however, as the ball slips out of his grip while going for a dive. Henry survives on 16. To be fair though, the ball was travelling quite quickly. Two runs collected in the final ball to prevent a maiden. Eight overs to go now.

After 74 overs, New Zealand 188/8 (Matt Henry 16, Neil Wagner 2); Need 188 more to win

Spinners bowling the remaining overs in tandem, with Ashwin replacing Bhuvneshwar (Will Mohammed Shami get another shot though?). For the Black Caps, batting the remaining overs out might be something of a moral victory. Maiden for Ashwin. Nine overs left in the day’s play.

After 73 overs, New Zealand 188/8 (Matt Henry 16, Neil Wagner 2); Need 188 more to win

Virat Kohli goes off the field for a bit (probably to catch his breath after all the action in the last few overs!). Henry takes a quick, albeit risky double in the second ball of the over. Plenty of chatter among the Indians (you can sense them going for the kill now).

After 72 overs, New Zealand 186/8 (Matt Henry 14, Neil Wagner 2); Need 190 more to win

Ashwin into the attack for the 72nd over, with spin from both ends now (or is Kohli looking to change bowling from both ends?). Wagner finally gets off the mark in the over, paddling one towards square-leg. Meanwhile, 11 overs left today.

After 71 overs, New Zealand 184/8 (Matt Henry 14, Neil Wagner 0); Need 192 more to win

The hosts are closing in on victory today, and skipper Kohli has set a tight field around the two tail-enders, especially aroundthe off-side. Two runs scored off the 71st over, with Henry running a couple to move to 71. Wagner yet to score.

After 70 overs, New Zealand 182/8 (Matt Henry 12, Neil Wagner 0); Need 194 more to win

The Black Caps barely have any hope from the pair of Henry and Wagner, who find themselves at the crease after a barrage of wickets in the recent overs. Henry sends one towards the extra-cover fence off Jadeja in an act of defiance in the 69th over to move to 12.

Remember India go back to No 1 on the ICC rankings. And it will be heartening that almost every player has contributed to the result.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 3, 2016

OUT! And the hosts are two wickets away from a famous victory now! Bhuvneshwar sends Jeetan Patel’s stumps cartwheelingm, sending the batsman back to the pavilion for 2 off 7 balls. New Zealand lose their eighth wicket with 178 on board! Need another 198 to win with two wickets in hand! 

Jeetan Patel b Bhuvneshwar Kumar 2(7)

OUT! Jadeja strikes right after the drinks break, and renmoves the last remaining thorn in Luke Ronchi, who departs for 32 after 60 balls! Pitched along middle, Ronchi looks to play across the line on the backfoot, and gets an inside-edge, from where the ball deflects onto his stumps after his pads. The hosts are closing in on a famous win now! 

Luke Ronchi b Ravindra Jadeja 32(60)

Ronchi goes. Was on the cards after the last over. Could well be over today if light holds.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 3, 2016

Go ahead! Tell us what you think! 

Can India bowl New Zealand out, and clinch the series, today on Day 4?

Live: https://t.co/NkLRyGhJWl #INDvNZ

— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) October 3, 2016

After 65 overs, New Zealand 175/6 (Luke Ronchi 32, Matt Henry 7); Need 201 more to win

Ronchi shows some defiance, punching a boundary off a short one from Ashwin towards point, while getting another one with an outside edge off Shami in the subsequent over. Meanwhile, Jadeja returns to the attack in the 65th over, with skipper Kohli looking to exploit the turn on offer and give Shami a break.

This Test has been a treat in terms of pacers on an atypical sub-continental wicket. Beautiful!! #IndvNZ

— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) October 3, 2016

The end is nigh for New Zealand. What is it with all their lbws!

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 3, 2016

After 61 overs, New Zealand 156/6 (Luke Ronchi 16, Matt Henry 0(2)); Need 220 more to win

OUT! Shami sends Watling’s off-stump cart-wheeling with an inswinger that results in the fall  of the sixth wicket for the Black Caps with 156 on board! The Indians go frenzy with celebrations at the moment, sensing the possibility of victory today itself! 

BJ Watling b Mohammed Shami 1(8)

OUT! Now it’s Shami who strikes, and removes Mitch Santner for 9 off 20 balls. Pitched wide outside off, there’s plenty of movement in the delivery, which takes the leftr-hander by surprise. Would’ve gone on to hit the leg stump. The Black Caps are in dire straits, losing half their side with 154 on board, needing another 222 to win!

Mitchell Santner lbw Mohammed Shami 9(20)

Huge wicket. This could be over today. Another 30 overs after this. #IndvNZ

— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) October 3, 2016

After 55 overs, New Zealand 146/3 (Luke Ronchi 16, Mitchell Santner 4); Need 230 more to win

OUT! Ashwin strikes after tea, and boy does he get the big fish in Latham! Pitched outside off, the ball drifts away from the left-handed opener. Latham opens the face of his bat and looks to go for a late-cut, and ends up getting a faint nick to the keeper. Departs for 76, as the Black Caps lose their fourth wicket with 141 on board. Brings Mitchell Santner to the crease. 

Tom Latham c Wriddhiman Saha b Ravichandran Ashwin 74(148)

India can’t play both IPL and Champions Trophy if BCCI follows Lodha recommendations, warns Anurag Thakurhttp://www.firstpost.com

And got two wickets in return. 

Ravichandran Ashwin has bowled non-stop in this second session #INDvNZ

— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) October 3, 2016

After 52 overs, New Zealand 135/3 (Tom Latham 74, Luke Ronchi 9); Need 241 more to win

And its tea on Day 4 of the second Test, with the Black Caps still another 241 runs away from their target with seven wickets in hand. Latham is still solid at the crease, batting resolutely on 74, while Ronchi is on 9 at the other end.

http://www.firstpost.com/sports/india-cant-play-both-ipl-and-champions-trophy-if-bcci-follows-lodha-recommendations-warns-anurag-thakur-3031688.html

After 50 overs, New Zealand 132/3 (Tom Latham 73, Luke Ronchi 7); Need 244 more to win

Latham nearly perishes in the 47th over after popping the ball just wide of Ashwin. The bowler however, ends up mixing it with Kohli, who dives forward near short mid-wicket. Latham moves to the 70s with an on-drive off Ashwin.

Play Hard, Play Fair - Spirit of Cricket @Paytm Test Cricket - @ajinkyarahane88 #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/4BfScZMHAf

— BCCI (@BCCI) October 3, 2016

68* by Tom Latham is now the highest by a visiting opener in the 4th innings of a Test at Eden Gardens. Prev. 67 by M Hayden, 2001.#INDvNZ

— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) October 3, 2016

After 45 overs, New Zealand 121/3 (Tom Latham 64, Luke Ronchi 5); Need 255 more to win

Latham is losing out on support at the other end, with Taylor departing for another low score. Luke Ronchi, who is the new batsman at the crease, suffers a dismissal scare after edging a Jadeja delivery to Rahane in the slips, where the ball drops just short of an agile Rahane.

OUT! Ashwin gets rid of Taylor with a delivery that drifts along the middle-stump. Taylor plays for spin, which is hardly there in the delivery, and is caught plumb. New Zealand lose their third wicket with 115 on board, with Taylor continuing his woeful run in the series so far. 

Ross Taylor lbw Ravichandran Ashwin 4(28)

After 40 overs, New Zealand 113/2 (Tom Latham 62, Ross Taylor 3); Need 263 more to win

Jadeja’s dismissal of Nicholls has brought the balance of the game back in the hosts’ favour. Latham however, seems unperturbed, and goes for a sweep in the next over to move to 60. Meanwhile, a captain’s knock is what the Black Caps want from Ross Taylor, the new batsman at the crease, along with a big one from Latham if they are to keep the series alive.Jadeja gets warned by umpire Rod Tucker for running across the pitch on two occasions in the 40th over, although the latter turns down a plumb decision for lbw on the first occasion.

60* by Latham is now the highest by a left-handed NZ opener in 4th inn. of a Test in IND. Prev. 58 by J Wright,Bangalore,1988#INDvNZ

— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) October 3, 2016

He has to produce a captain’s knock if he is to keep the series alive. 

Big responsibility on Ross Taylor. Has had an iffy series so far. This has to be his moment.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 3, 2016

OUT! Ravindra Jadeja strikes for India, and gets rid of Henry Nicholls for 24! New Zealand lose their 2nd wicket with 104 on board. Superb catch by Rahane in the slips!

Henry Nicholls c Ajinkya Rahane b Ravindra Jadeja 24(66)

NZ left-handed openers scoring atleast 2 50+ scores in a Test series in IND:

3 B Sutcliffe,1955
2 J Wright,1988
2 T LATHAM*#INDvNZ

— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) October 3, 2016

The more you know!

Tom Latham becomes 2nd NZ Left-handed opener to score 50+ in 4th inn. of a Test in IND. Other: J Wright,1988,Bangalore#INDvNZ

— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) October 3, 2016

After 35 overs, New Zealand 102/1 (Tom Latham 55, Henry Nicholls 23); Need 274 more to win

Latham brings up his ninth Test fifty — and his third in this tour, if you take the warm-up into account — with a single in the 32nd over, with the Black Caps bringing up the 100 a few deliveries later. Meanwhile, its spin from both ends for India at the moment.

FIFTY for Tom Latham! The left-handed opener has been solid in his approach so far in the innings, and has guided the Black Caps to a solid score of 96/1 after 32 overs. This is his ninth fifty in the format in hnis 24th appearance. 

Kohli knows how to keep the crowd on their feet! 

#TeamIndia skipper, @imVkohli gets the fans together behind the team at Eden Gardens @Paytm Test Cricket #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/2SQxFL0NwC

— BCCI (@BCCI) October 3, 2016

After 30 overs, New Zealand 92/1 (Tom Latham 48, Henry Nicholls 20); Need 284 more to win

Shami has replaced Bhuvi as Ashwin’s bowling partnership for the time being. Meanwhile, Latham moves to the 40s — he has been the backbone of the New Zealand innings so far. Nicholls too has settled quite well at the other end, having hit two boundaries so far.

That’s the impact the ‘City of Joy’ can have on  the best of us. Wilkins and the commentators just cannot stop talking about one of Bengal’s iconic desserts. 

Wilkins has nothing else to talk about? Mishti dahi aside?#IndvNZ #IndvsNZ

— Suneer (@suneerchowdhary) October 3, 2016

After 25 overs, New Zealand 72/1 (Tom Latham 35, Henry Nicholls 13); Need 304 more to win

Latham is trudging along towards his half-century, and is batting quite carefully at the moment after Guptill’s dismissal. The pitch seems to have slowed a little, although the uneven bounce factor will still be playing on the visitors’ minds.

That was an overpitched ball that Guptill has gotten out to. Lack of confidence. #IndvNZ #IndvsNZ

— Suneer (@suneerchowdhary) October 3, 2016

After 20 overs, New Zealand 62/1 (Tom Latham 32, Henry Nicholls 6); Need 314 more to win

Nicholls walks towards the pitch after Guptill’s departure, and gets off the mark with a boundary off Bhuvneshwar’s bowling. It’s a pace-spin combination at the moment, with Bhuvi bowling in tandem with Ashwin.

OUT! Ashwin strikes right after lunch, and traps Guptill plumb before wicket! Easiest of decisions for umpire Kettleborough. Tossed up between middle and off, Guptill’s bat hit the boot before it can get into the line of the delivery. Disappointing way to get out at such a crucial stage. NZ lose their first wicket with 55 on board. 

Martin Guptill lbw Ravichandran Ashwin 24(49)

Do you guys agree with this view?

If India win this, which we will, Wriddhiman Saha should be the Man Of The Match.. Take away Saha's runs and India are struggling.. #INDvNZ

— ᴘʀᴀɴᴀᴠ ᴘᴀʀᴀʙ (@P9Pranav) October 3, 2016

We’ll be back at 12.10 IST for the second session.

After 16 overs, New Zealand 55/0 (Martin Guptill 24, Tom Latham 31); Need 321 more to win

And its lunch on Day 4, with Shami bowling the final over after a brief spell of spin from both ends. Latham brings up the fifty stand in the second ball by with a couple of runs towards midwicket. The visitors are off to a solid start, and it remains to be seen if they defy the Indian attack, and preserve their wickets till the end of day’s play.

FIFTY opening partnership complete between Latham and Guptill, with the former taking a double in the second ball of the 16th over. Good start for the Black Caps in their chase of the daunting 376-run target. 

After 15 overs, New Zealand 49/0 (Martin Guptill 23, Tom Latham 26); Need 327 more to win

Spin from both ends, with Jadeja getting introduced into the attack alongside Ashwin. Latham and Guptill are increasingly looking dangerous for the hosts, getting a boundary almost every over to push their partnership into the 40s. Both batsmen are in the 20s at the moment, and things are going quite well for the Black Caps.

Essentially, do a Rohit Sharma!

Aggression good but loud mouthed effing and jeffing aren't going to do any good. Kohli needs to be reprimanded. #indvnz

— Setu Ashwin (@SetuAshwin) October 3, 2016

After 10 overs, New Zealand 27/0 (Martin Guptill 20, Tom Latham 7); Need 349 more to win

Shami nearly gets the wicket of Guptill with a brilliant delivery that jags into the batsman, beats his inside edge and raps him in front of leg in a plumb decision. Umpire Tucker however, thinks there might have been an inside edge. A poor decision indeed, and might go on to hurt the Indians real deep in the coming overs. 

Ashwin gets introduced into the attack in the ninth over, and gets hammered for a boundary off his first ball of the innings.

Lost count of the no. of times Virat has had an angry chat with the umpires in this match. #IndvNZ

— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) October 3, 2016

Rod Tucker makes you pine for Billy.... #indvnz

— Innocent Bystander (@InnoBystander) October 3, 2016

Shami appeals for an lbw that looked plumb, jagging back and hitting Guptill’s front pad in front of leg after beating the inside-edge. However, Umpire Tucker turns it down, assuming some contact between willow and leather. 

Okay, that looked out. #IndvNZ

— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) October 3, 2016

After 5 overs, New Zealand 7/0 (Martin Guptill 1, Tom Latham 6); Need 369 more to win

And so begins te final innings of this match, and the Black Caps are already on the backfoot with the Eden pitch playing its tricks and Williamson missing out on this game. Remains to be seen whether Guptill can produce something in this innings to justify his spot, or whether he suffers yet another unfortunate dismissal.

Meanwhile, BCCI president Anurag Thakur paid a visit to the press box, and had some interesting comments to offer.

BCCI president Anurag Thakur: We are willing to use DRS. We are not looking at 100 pc technology. But we need more improvement. #IndvNZ

— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) October 3, 2016

The magic moment when Wriddhiman Saha reached his milestone.

FIFTY for @Wriddhipops, #TeamIndia set a target of 376 runs on Day 4 @Paytm Test Cricket #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/hzMtFkbQJa

— BCCI (@BCCI) October 3, 2016

Interesting achievement by Wriddhiman Saha today. 

Stat-Attack:

W Saha becomes the 2nd WK to score two 50+ scores in a Test without getting out. Other: FCM Alexander v Aus in 1961#INDvNZ

— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) October 3, 2016

After 76.5 overs, India 263 all out (Wriddhiman Saha 58); lead by 375 runs

OUT! India fold up for 263, with Saha unbeaten on 58 at the non-striker’s end after Shami edges a Boult delivery to Latham in the slips. Bit of a doubt whether the low catch was taken cleanly, with the umpire giving the soft signal of out. Third umpire Nandan doesn’t find any conclusive evidence of the ball touching the grass, and gives it out.

New Zealand have now been set a mammoth target of 376 on a tricky Eden surface with more than five sessions to bat in the remainder of the Test.

After 75 overs, India 259/9 (Wriddhiman Saha 56, Mohammed Shami 0); lead by 371 runs

A ripper of a delivery from Santner — pitching along off, straightening and narrowly buzzing past the off-stump — nearly has Saha dismissed for 48. Bhuvneshwar departs after lobbing a simple catch to Nicholls at short-leg off a short one from Wagner.

Saha brings up his second-consecutive Test fifty — and his fourth in the format — in style! Sweeps the Santner delivery towards backward square-leg to bring up the milestone for the second time this match!

OUT! Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s short, but useful stay at the crease ends with a short ball down the leg side that he simply lobs to Nicholls at short-leg. Neil Wagner gets his first wicket with the tried-and-tested formula of the short ball towards leg side. 

Bhuvneshwar Kumar c Henry Nicholls b Neil Wagner 23(51)

After 70 overs, India 249/8 (Wriddhiman Saha 48, Bhuvneshwar Kumar 21); lead by 361 runs

Henry completes the 63rd over without conceding anything. Saha meanwhile, moves into the 40s with a drive through the covers. Bhuvneshwar continues to provide support from the other end, getting two boundaries including one off an outside edge.

After three ex-Test cricketers, it is the turn of one of the most powerful sports administrators in the world to ring the bell in the ongoing Test.

BCCI President Lt. @ianuragthakur rings the bell to start the proceedings at Eden Gardens on Day 4 of #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/XJQ9tKWjdV

— BCCI (@BCCI) October 3, 2016

'Generally the ball wins the race at Eden Gardens'. Something original by Shastri finally. #INDvNZ

— Praku (@pkarni) October 3, 2016

Rohit Sharma had a fantastic day with the bat on Day 4. Read the articles below by Jigar Mehta and Chetan Narula respectively to relive what can be described as one of his best knocks across formats till date.

India vs New Zealand: Rohit Sharma stands up at the crunch moment, strengthens his case – Firstposthttp://www.firstpost.com

India vs New Zealand: Rohit Sharma steals the show on batsman’s day of attrition – Firstposthttp://www.firstpost.com

Play begins on Day 4 of the 2nd Test between the two sides, with BCCI president Anurag Thakur ringing the customay bell to signal the start of play. No overnight declaration. Looks like Kohli wants Saha to complete his second consecutive fifty before declaring the innings. Stay tuned for further updates.

Will need a plenty of batting practice given how the pitch is behaving at the moment.

Henry Nicholls having a quick net ahead of day four #INDvNZ ^WN pic.twitter.com/T9nzuwopIg

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) October 3, 2016

Pitch report (Aakash Report): Play on the weight of the ball, and not worry about the result. Play the ball and not the pitch. Easier said than done.

Hello and welcome to the Live coverage of 4th Day of the 2nd Test between India and New Zealand at Kolkata. India are in a commanding position after Rohit Sharma’s gritty knock and the hosts lead by 339 runs. The overnight score was 227 for 8 with local boy Wriddhiman Saha, who scored an unbeaten fifty in the first innings, still at the center with Bhuvneshwar Kumar. What target should Virat Kohli and co set for the Black Caps? Catch all the live updates here