Can India do a Wankhede against New Zealand by defending 107 runs in Bengaluru?

Visiting side New Zealand are on the brink of a historic win against India in their backyard. Notably, the hosts have never lost a Test match against the Blackcaps since 1988. Interestingly enough, the home team can take inspiration from another Test which coincidently had the visiting side Australia chasing the exact 107 runs as the target.

That game took place at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, back in the year 2004. Currently, the ongoing first Test of the series between India and New Zealand is going on in a cliffhanger fashion. While India need another eight wickets to pull off a miraculous comeback and win, while New Zealand will be looking to patiently inch closer to the target amid weather playing possums.

Now speaking of the India versus Australia Test, while batting first, Team India got folded for a paltry 104, courtesy of pacer Jason Gillespie's four-wicket (4/29) haul. Australia scored 204 runs in reply in which Anil Kumble and Murali Karthik shared nine wickets between them. Thereby leaving India rattled with a significant 99-run lead deficit. Among notable batting numbers, Mathew Hayden (35) and Damien Martyn (55) tormented the Indian bowling unit.

However, Sachin Tendulkar (55) and VVS Laxman (69) led the fightback despite Michael Clarke's (6/9) match-making spell allowing the hosts to finish with 205 runs on the board in the second innings. As a result, Australia were set an easy-looking target of 107 runs.

Also Read- Lowest totals defended by India in Test matches

In reply, pacer Zaheer Khan started the devastation by dismissing Justin Langer on a duck in the first over itself. Soon after, the spin duo Harbhajan Singh and Murali Karthik reduced Australia to 48/6, leaving the visitors in a state of panic. Both the spinners claimed eight wickets between them and eventually the 'baggy greens' got skittled for 93 runs inside 31 overs. Team India scored an astonishing win by 14 runs.

Check out the viral match footage of India's win vs Australia:

India defended 106 Runs against Mighty Australians 🇦🇺 back in 2004 when no one believed that this target 🎯 can be defended. You beauty Incredible Indians 🇮🇳 #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/o6cQGcqXcc

— Richard Kettleborough (@RichKettle07) January 8, 2024

Can India repeat the Wankhede-like comeback of 2004?

Coming to the ongoing Bengaluru Test in 2024, Team India are at it yet again by giving New Zealand a 107-run target this time. At this point, the onus of India's bowling lies on pacer Jasprit Bumrah, along with spinners Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav. The visiting side are cruising swiftly at this point with scores reading 74/2, needing another 33 runs after having played 19.5 overs.

Also Check- India vs New Zealand: First Test, Weather Report - Day 5 weather insights

Adding to the intrigue, the rain gods may also help the hosts in the hope of a drawn Test in case the Blackcaps continue to score runs without much fuss. The only question left now in the game is- will rains push New Zealand to try to go for big shots thereby risking their wickets? or will India repeat history again with a memorable Test win despite getting bowled out for 46 runs on Day 1 of the first Test?