New Zealand needs 107 runs to win its first Test on Indian soil since 1988 following the home side collapsing in the final session despite a tremendous fightback from Sarfaraz Khan and Rishabh Pant in Bengaluru.

At stumps on a rain-affected day four, the Black Caps were yet to open their account in their second innings when darkness stopped play.

After Sarfaraz and Rishabh put on 177 in a thrilling fourth-wicket stand, India lost seven wickets for just 54 runs in its second innings, collapsing to 462 all out in 99.3 overs.

India was always going to be up against it after being bowled out for its lowest score in Tests on home soil — 46 — in the first innings. New Zealand had replied with 402 runs, a lead of 356 runs.

Things started well for the hosts in the second innings, with Yashasvi Jaiswal (35), Rohit Sharma (52) and Virat Kohli (70) taking them to 3-231 before Sarfaraz and wicketkeeper Rishabh took up the attack.

Sarfaraz (150) scored his first Test century in just his fourth Test while Rishabh, playing his third game since making his Test return after a car crash in 2022, was bowled for 99 runs in an explosive innings.

In the 105-ball knock, Rishabh smacked nine fours and five sixes — the best of them being an enormous slog sweep out of the ground off Tim Southee to move from 90 to 96.

But five balls later he was bowled by Will O'Rourke for 99, Rishabh's seventh dismissal in the 90s from 35 Tests, and 11 overs later India's innings was over.

Rain prevented any further play after just four deliveries in the Kiwi innings, although there was still time for India to lose a review after Jasprit Bumrah had a loud LBW shout turned down against Tom Latham.

Coincidentally, New Zealand's 107-run victory target is the lowest total India has defended to win a Test on home soil, against Australia at Mumbai in 2004.

India leads the World Test Championship standings, and a 3-0 win in this series against New Zealand after beating Bangladesh 2-0 last month would all but assure its spot for the final at Lord's next June.

New Zealand has already been on a long subcontinental tour, beginning with a washed-out Test against Afghanistan in Greater Noida, India, followed by a 2-0 series loss in Sri Lanka.

The second match in the three-Test series will be played in Pune starting next Thursday and the final one in Mumbai from November 1.

ABC/AP