India vs New Zealand 2024: IND create HISTORY, become first team to achieve THIS feat since 1877

New Delhi: India made history by becoming the first team to hit 100 sixes in Test cricket within a single calendar year. This remarkable achievement came on Day 3 of the first Test match against New Zealand in Bengaluru, under the leadership of Rohit Sharma. It marks the first time in the 147-year history of Test cricket that a team has reached this milestone. Previously, England held the record for the most sixes in a calendar year, with 89 sixes in 2022. Yashasvi Jaiswal has been a key contributor for India, hitting 29 sixes in Tests this year, while Shubman Gill has added 16 to the total.

Teams to hit most Test sixes in a year:

102* – India (2024)

89 – England (2022)

87 – India (2021)

81 – New Zealand (2014)

71 – New Zealand (2013)

India staged a strong counter-attack to keep their hopes of a remarkable comeback alive in the first Test against New Zealand. Free-flowing half-centuries from Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Sarfaraz Khan propelled the team to 231 for three in their second innings by the end of Day 3 on Friday. Their aggressive approach helped India recover from a challenging position, setting the stage for a possible turnaround in the match.

Virat Kohli (70) reached a significant milestone of 9,000 Test runs during his innings before being dismissed by Glenn Phillips off the last ball of the day, edging a delivery to Tom Blundell. Sarfaraz Khan, also unbeaten on 70, remained at the crease as India closed out the third day. The day’s play, under overcast conditions, saw India reduce the deficit to a more manageable 125 runs, keeping their hopes alive for a comeback in the first Test against New Zealand.

Virat Kohli and Sarfaraz Khan put together a crucial 136-run partnership for the third wicket, stabilizing India’s innings after skipper Rohit Sharma laid the foundation with a fluent 52. Their combined efforts helped India regain momentum on the third day of the first Test against New Zealand, keeping the team’s hopes alive for a potential comeback.

New Zealand had earlier set a formidable total of 402 runs, securing a significant lead of 356 runs over India. This impressive total was powered by Rachin Ravindra’s brilliant 134 and a valuable contribution from Tim Southee, who scored 63. The duo forged a crucial 134-run partnership for the eighth wicket, which proved instrumental in extending New Zealand’s lead. Their efforts left India with a daunting task, but the visitors’ fightback in their second innings has kept the contest alive.

The largest deficit that India has ever overturned to win a Test match is 274 runs, achieved during the iconic Kolkata Test against Australia in 2001. This historic match saw India follow on after being bowled out for 171 in their first innings but then stage a remarkable comeback. VVS Laxman (281) and Rahul Dravid (180) played pivotal roles with their memorable partnership, leading India to a famous victory at Eden Gardens. It remains one of the greatest comebacks in the history of Test cricket.