For the second straight match, India find themselves in a dominant position where they almost can’t lose the Test with two days to play against New Zealand who are having a woeful tour thus far. Join The Roar for live scores of Day 4 from 3pm (AEDT).
New Zealand, after a promising home summer of cricket and with rising prospects had high hopes for this tour of India, but so far it has fallen well short of expectations.
After being thrashed in the first Test, things aren’t going much better for the tourists in the second at Kolkata as they enter the fourth-day trailing by 339 on a pitch that is starting to assist the spin bowlers.
India, winning the toss and electing to bat made 316 in their first innings before New Zealand were knocked over for 204, which addmitedly is more than they were looking like getting during their innigs.
Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane have then led the charge for India in their second innings, scoring 82 and 45 respecitvely to land the lead at what it is.
The Kiwis struggled to remain consistent with their bowling and have suffered as such under the baking India sun. Given India still have two wickets left and given the tail led by Wriddhiman Saha are batting so well the punishment might not be over yet.
The pick of the bowlers, as he had been all series is Mitchell Santner, who picked up another three wickets in 13 overs yesterday.
Day 4 prediction
India are in a commanding position, and could make the proposition for New Zealand even more daunting by adding more runs on Day 4 with what’s left of a wagging tail. New Zealand are already out of it mentally, so putting them back into the field for half an hour would almost ensure a demolition job thanks to Ravichandran Ashwin when they get in the field.
The only problem for India is the potential of rain, although that forecast has eased to overcast. Still, with heat and humidity there is no reason we couldn’t get an afternoon storm.
So time is an issue for India and they will be keen to get into the field as soon as possible. Expect a declaration before play or some very aggressive batting, and then aggressive tactics from India as they defend what is going to be a huge total.
New Zealand almost need to play their normal game – there is next to no point trying to defend it out because it simply won’t happen – many have tried and failed.
Without rain though, New Zealand will be out of the series by the end of the day’s play.
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Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde
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