"Wouldn't say it's an easy win from here" - Will O'Rourke ahead of Day 5 of IND vs NZ 2024 1st Test
New Zealand pacer Will O'Rourke believes it will be far from a comfortable win when his team attempt to chase down 107 on Day 5 at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. He also hopes for the conditions to be clear on the final day of the Test.
The Kiwis fought hard on Day 4 to give themselves a real shot at a landmark victory in Bengaluru. The hosts were placed comfortably at 408-3 at one stage, but lost their next seven wickets only for 54 runs.
Speaking at a post-day presser, O'Rourke, who claimed three scalps, said they are aware of the challenge and won't take the target of 107 lightly. As quoted by PTI, he said:
"I wouldn't say it's an easy win from here. We've got a world-class team going up against us. But we've got to be confident going out there tomorrow. Hopefully, for our sake the rain stays away and we get a chance to have a crack at it."
The Kiwis had bundled Team India out for 46 on Day 2 and taken a massive 356-run lead. However, the hosts have staged a magnificent fightback, thanks to Sarfaraz Khan's 150, as well by half-centuries from Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Rishabh Pant.
"Pant and Sarfaraz have batted very well for a long time" - Will O'Rourke
Will O'Rourke opined that the Black Caps' decision to take the new ball on Day 4 proved fruitful for them. The 23-year-old added:
"I've been pretty hot and cold with the ball. Pant and Sarfaraz have batted very well for a long time, but that second new ball started doing a little bit for us. So, good to Timmy (Southee) getting that first breakthrough (Sarfaraz) and then lucky enough to get a chop-on (Pant) there to sort of give us a bit of momentum going through."
The Black Caps' openers faced only four balls before the umpires directed the players to leave the field due to bad light. Should New Zealand emerge victorious, it will be their first Test win on Indian soil since 1988.