IND vs NZ 1st Test: "It Will Favour Us" - Kuldeep Yadav Hopeful Match Goes Into Day 5 in Bengaluru

Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav is hopeful the 1st Test against New Zealand heads into the final day of play when spin will come into play at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

After a forgetful day 2 when they folded for 46 in their first innings, India found themselves still trailing by 125 runs after Virat Kohli's late dismissal at stumps on day three.

New Zealand had amassed 402 runs in their first innings, bolstered by a stellar century from Rachin Ravindra and a counter-attacking half-century by Tim Southee. Trailing by 356 runs, Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal got off to a fast start.

The day ended with Kohli's dismissal for 70 by Glenn Phillips, breaking a crucial 136-run partnership with Sarfaraz Khan. Reflecting on the strategy for Day 4, Kuldeep acknowledged the challenges of controlling the run rate on a pitch that offered little assistance to spinners.

"It's tough to control runs here. There wasn't much turn yesterday, possibly due to the pitch being a bit damp. Without significant turn or rough patches, especially at this ground with its short boundaries, even good deliveries can be scored off," Kuldeep said at the post-day press conference.

"Credit to New Zealand, they batted really well. We need to bat well tomorrow. We made a good start today but we are still 125 runs behind. We have to take it session by session," he added.

India's decision to field three spinners, including Kuldeep, who replaced Akash Deep, could prove beneficial if the match extends into the final day. The wrist-spinner also felt that if a good target is set, then spin can work it's magic on the final day.

"Yes, if the game lasts until Day 5, spinners will have more purchase. Today, towards the end, the ball began to turn. Hopefully, we can bowl on the last day, and it will favour us. Ideally, we would set a competitive target given our bowling line-up," Kuldeep remarked.

Sarfaraz Khan, who replaced Shubman Gill in the XI, impressed with his unconventional yet effective batting style, ending the day unbeaten on 70 off 78 balls. His innovative shots disrupted New Zealand's bowling plans.

"We all enjoy watching him bat. After scoring a double century in the Irani Cup, hopefully, he will do the same here. He has a unique style and is particularly adept against spinners. His counter-attack against Ajaz Patel forced them to switch to pacers. I really appreciate his technique and find it entertaining to watch," Kuldeep said.

Sarfaraz will resume his overnight knock alongside KL Rahul or Rishabh Pant with all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin left to follow alongside Kuldeep, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj.

India will aim to take a 100-150 runs lead and then hope spin does it's job on the final day. But the hosts will first need to ensure the cut short the deficit and take it session by session.