A spirited morning performance from Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant rescued India from a shaky start in the final Test against New Zealand, bringing the hosts to 195 for five by lunch on the second day. India, trailing by 40 runs, saw Pant’s explosive 60 off 47 balls and Gill’s composed, unbeaten 70 guide their recovery after a collapse on the previous evening.
Pant, with eight 4s and two 6s, set an aggressive tone, overshadowing New Zealand’s bowling attack and rapidly closing in on the first-innings deficit. Partnering with Gill, Pant played with audacity, striking 77 runs in just the first hour and adding a 96-run fifth-wicket stand off 114 balls. Gill, though more measured, anchored the innings with precision, hitting four boundaries and a six in his 106-ball stay. Ravindra Jadeja (10 not out) stood alongside Gill when the teams broke for lunch.
Both batters benefited from New Zealand’s missed opportunities. In a twist of fortune, Gill, on 30, narrowly escaped when Mark Chapman dropped a high catch off Glenn Phillips. Pant, too, found luck on his side as Matt Henry missed a straightforward catch at long-off.
India began the day with intent as Pant made his approach clear, sending Ajaz Patel’s first over to the boundary thrice in rapid succession. He deftly drove the ball down the ground, dancing down the track for another four, and guiding a third past first slip. This attacking strategy neutralized New Zealand’s spinners, who had gained control in the final session of the first day, especially after quick dismissals of captain Virat Kohli (4) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (30).
The exuberant Pant, however, fell to Ish Sodhi just before lunch, misjudging a sharp turner that trapped him leg-before. Though he reviewed the decision, replays confirmed the ball would have clipped the leg stump, ending his rapid-fire innings.