New Zealand posted a strong total on the third day of the first Test between India and New Zealand in Bengaluru, pocketing a lead of 356 as New Zealand scored 404. Rachin Ravindra became the 1st New Zealand player to score a century in India in last 12 years, and Indian bowlers toiled hard, Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja each getting three wickets while Mohammed Siraj got two. Ravichandran Ashwin and Jasprit Bumrah took one wicket each. India played the second innings with a positive attitude as they had an enormous deficit to get out of. Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal scored 35 before being bowled by Ajaz Patel. Captain Rohit Sharma played an excellent half-century by scoring 52 before losing his wicket. Those setbacks notwithstanding, Virat Kohli and Sarfaraz Khan ensured India retained the initiative. Kohli, looking in good touch, hit a sweet cover drive off the bowling of William O'Rourke off the first ball of the 25th over, showcasing his class. O'Rourke bowled a full lenght delivery out side the off stump and Kohli pressed forward to creamed it timely through the exra cover. Also Read | Fans Brutally Trolled Dhoni For Clicking Picture With Orry Watch the video of Virat Kohli's Cover Drive ™️ Virat Kohli ☺️Live ▶️ https://t.co/8qhNBrs1td#TeamIndia | #INDvNZ | @imVkohli | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/fY8tvMhYnv — BCCI (@BCCI) October 18, 2024 On the other hand, Sarfaraz Khan played an aggressive knock and scored a half-century with 6 fours and 3 sixes. At the end of 45 overs, India had scored 227 for the loss of two wickets. India will hope to reduce the lead as much as possible and get themselves in a more dominating position going into Day 4. With Kohli and Sarfaraz both in looking in good touch, India would look to establish a big partnership to keep the hopes alive for this Test.