Mind Games: How Virat Kohli and Dhruv Jurel Tricked New Zealand Batters with 'Crack in the Pitch' Act Following Bumrah's Stunner

Bumrah delivered a well-directed length ball on off-stump, causing it to sharply come back in towards Latham. Despite his attempt to defend the ball, it sneaked past the inner edge and hit him directly on the front pad in line with the middle stump. Umpire Michael Gough wasted no time in raising his finger and giving Latham out, as the Indian team erupted into a vociferous appeal. The dismissal meant that Latham had to depart without scoring, making it a quick exit for him as he made his way back to the dressing room.

Mohammed Siraj maintained the pressure on the New Zealand batters, as he followed Bumrah's over with another maiden for India, leaving New Zealand clueless at the crease. Amid the stunning show from the Indian pacers, Virat Kohli and Dhruv Jurel engaged in mind games with the two New Zealand batters in the middle - Will Young and Devon Conway - as the two Indians walked to the middle of the pitch during the over break, and pointed towards a big crack, perhaps to put it into the minds of the Kiwi batters.

On Day 4, India, who were going great guns in their second innings on the back of a 178-run stand between ceturion Sarfaraz Khan and Rishabh Pant, and were 407-3 at one point, lost seven wickets in less than 60 runs after New Zealand took the second new ball in the session after Tea.

Sarfaraz continued his good form and notched up 150. Pant also made a valuable contribution of 99. KL Rahul failed to be among the runs. Ravindra Jadeja was the first to fall, dismissed by William O' Rourke for 5. India managed to reach 450 in 94.5 overs but the wickets kept tumbling. When Ravichandran Ashwin was dismissed, India had scored 458 runs.

Jasprit Bumrah followed soon after, dismissed for a duck by Matt Henry, reducing India to 462/9. Mohammed Siraj also fell for a duck just two balls later, with Henry claiming his third wicket. Kuldeep Yadav remained unbeaten on 6, struggling to score as the ball was stopping on the wet outfield.

Both William O'Rourke and Matt Henry ended with three wickets each, while Tim Southee picked up one. Ajaz Patel and Glenn Phillips also made contributions, taking two and one wicket, respectively.