Can India Produce Miracle On Day 5 To Beat New Zealand? List Of Lowest Test Totals Defended By India

India need to defend 107 Vs New Zealand [Source: PTI]

India were in the driving seat for the majority of Day 4, but when New Zealand bowlers took the new ball, disaster struck for Team India. The home side produced some breath-taking cricket and pushed New Zealand bowlers on the back-foot.

Despite getting bundled out for a mere 46, the Indian batters responded on a positive note in their second innings. Skipper Rohit Sharma scored a quick-fire fifty and was amply supported by Virat Kohli, who too, scored a stunning fifty to push India's charge. However, Kohli was dismissed on the last ball of Day 3.

The onus then lied on the shoulders of two youngsters, Rishabh Pant and Sarfaraz Khan, and they didn't disappoint. The duo forged a partnership in excess of 100 and it frustrated the Kiwi bowlers. Sarfaraz, a naturally attacking batter smashed his maiden Test ton and was dismissed for a brilliant 150. Pant, on the other hand was closing in on his 7th Test century, but had a heartbreak as he was knocked over for a score of 99.

Once Pant departed, the Indian batters fell like a pack of cards and lost their last 7 wickets for just 54 runs, and with that, the Kiwis needed 107 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the series. Now the question arises, can they do the unthinkable and defend a low total?

Lowest totals defended by India in Tests

If India manage to defend 107, it will be their joint lowest total defended in Tests. The game occurred against Australia in 2004, when Murali Kartik spun his magic and won the game for India.

In recent memory, India defended a paltry 188 against Australia at the very same ground, M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Will India repeat the same heroics on Sunday?

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