Ganesh Kendale
NEW DELHI: India captain Rohit Sharma and star batter Virat Kohli were seen engaging in heated arguments with the umpires after they decided that the light was insufficient to continue play on Day 4 of the first Test, prompting them to ask the players to leave the field.
On the penultimate day of the match, India made a strong comeback as Sarfaraz Khan (150) and Rishabh Pant (99) combined for a remarkable 177-run partnership for the fourth wicket, successfully overcoming a significant deficit of 356 runs and setting 107-run target after being bowled out for 462 in the second innings
However, the introduction of the second new ball did the trick for the Black Caps as India lost the last seven wickets for 54 runs.
New Zealand skipper Tom Latham and Devon Conway came out to bat but only four balls were bowled and no runs were scored before bad light forced the players off, a heavy downpour began and stumps were called.
But Rohit and Kohli were dissatisfied with the on-field umpires’ decision and were seen arguing with both Paul Reiffel and Michael Gough.
As the two engaged in the heated exchange, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Siraj also approached to understand the nature of the discussion.
Earlier, India had been bowled out for their lowest score in Tests on home soil – 46 – in the first innings. New Zealand had replied with 402 runs, a lead of 356 runs.
The opening day’s play was washed out due to rain.
