Former India cricketer Anil Kumble said that the New Zealand bowlers missed the trick against India on Day 4 of the ongoing first Test at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru as well. However, Kumble said that Rishabh Pant and Sarfaraz Khan played brilliantly in the morning session. He added that despite many Kiwi players having IPL experience against them, they could not capitalise on it as well.

“Both these two batters are certainly in a league of their own because, in terms of their run-scoring, they hit the ball to different parts of the ground. This is where I thought New Zealand missed a trick. A few Kiwis have been part of the IPL for a long time—they understand Sarfaraz and know about Rishabh Pant. But maybe that knowledge wasn’t passed on to the bowlers,” Kumble told Jio Cinema.

However, he also applauded Sarfaraz Khan for the way he batted and took on the Kiwi bowlers as well. Sarfaraz’s onslaught helped him reach his maiden Test hundred as well.

“It seems like the other aspect of bowling is that, with the kind of innings Sarfaraz plays, you always feel like you’re in with a chance because he stays inside the line. You’re hoping that the odd ball will get him to nick it to the wicketkeeper or slips. But he kept punishing New Zealand every time they bowled slightly on off-stump or even just outside off,” Anil Kumble concluded.