Witness the thrilling first day of the Test match as New Zealand dominates while India faces a dramatic collapse. Stay updated with all the highlights.
Introduction:
The New Zealand tour of India suddenly changed its course during the first Test in Bengaluru, as their pacers delivered a surreal performance that stunned India at their own den. What was witnessed wasn’t just an extraordinary day of cricket but also a historic low for India as they were bowled out for their third-lowest Test score of all time for just 46 runs.
The fact that Matt Henry and Will O’Rourke headed the New Zealand attack left India shell-shocked and perplexed with their spectacular collapse. By stumps on day two, New Zealand had taken a commanding lead of 134 runs, leaving them well and truly in control of the Test.
See also: Sanju Samson’s Blistering Century Leads India to 297 Against Bangladesh
New Zealand’s Seamers Break Down India’s Batting Line-Up
The match began with India winning the toss and deciding to bat first on a pitch which, despite the week of covers, seemed set for spinners, but overcast conditions and good seam-friendly ones meant India’s decision to bat first backfired spectacularly. Matt Henry, New Zealand’s master of such conditions, and debutant Will O’Rourke ripped through the Indian line-up with relentless accuracy and movement off the seam.
See also: Test Cricket at its Best: India Battles After Historic Low on Day 3
India was in trouble almost immediately. Henry sent Rohit Sharma back inside after the ball jagged back in to knock top of the leg stump, and early pressure was put on by Tim Southee. Henry’s dismissal of Rohit spelled out the tone for the day, but India’s plight worsened with each passing over. India were 13 for 3 in 12.4 overs when they were folded over by Devon Conway’s diving catch off Sarfaraz Khan’s errant aerial drive. The pitch that was believed to be a spinner-friendly one offered the seamers an average of 1.3 degrees of movement during the first session and that was more than what the top order of India could handle.
See also: New Zealand Women Make History with First T20I World Cup Win
Kohli’s bold choice goes wrong
A promoted Virat Kohli, who walked in at No. 3 in Shubman Gill’s absence, looked to steady the innings but his stay at the wicket was short-lived. Kohli fell victim to an awkwardly bouncing delivery that clipped his glove on way to leg-slip, where Glenn Phillips took a sharp diving catch, an early demise that would prove critical for India’s hopes of salvaging their innings.
Not even the decision to promote Sarfaraz Khan up the order worked out. Khan, who bats lower down generally, was looking to counterattack right away but that ill-judged aerial shot went straight into Conway’s hands for a stunning catch. Recoveries made by India after these collapses were only undone by the persistence of O’Rourke and control of Henry.
Flurry of Wickets Either Side of Lunch
Things then began to unravel for India when Yashasvi Jaiswal, who had flogged around for 63 balls, edged a cut shot to Henry, departing for 13. This brought on another collapse. KL Rahul, who looked India’s best-equipped batter for the conditions, went down the leg side just before lunch. Moments later, Ravindra Jadeja followed him, playing a reckless flick that resulted in a leading edge.
Henry’s outright quick bowling continued after the break. He cleaned up Ravichandran Ashwin with a rising delivery that caught the shoulder of the bat, while Rishabh Pant, whose luck finally ran out, edged to second slip. Thereafter India could not stand up against New Zealand’s attack. Henry bowled 50% of his deliveries in the 6-8m length range which proved to be the perfect spot to extract movement while minimizing drivable deliveries. His discipline paid off and India crumbled to their lowest score at home, finishing on 46 all out.
New Zealand Capitalize on India’s Misreading of Conditions
New Zealand responded bravely. They batted with purpose and skill, very quickly nullifying the threat posed by India’s three-pronged spin attack. Devon Conway was just the man to ensure that New Zealand turned their advantage into a commanding lead, his time at the crease just about dominating the Indian spinners, especially Ravichandran Ashwin.
Conway’s game was attacking yet planned. He really pushed the pacers on anything full and consistently took the spinners by storm with sweeps, reverse sweeps, and charges down the pitch. That really put India’s bowlers on the back foot and made them think all over again. Chances also went begging for India, as three slips were spilled by the cordon and two stumpings by Rishabh Pant were not completed.
Conway Misses Century as New Zealand Consolidate Top Spot
Conway’s innings was brought to a close nine runs short of a desperately overdue century when he took on Ashwin, attempting an awkward reverse sweep but losing his wicket. At that stage, though, New Zealand were sufficiently dominant that even Conway’s wicket flickered a temporary hope for India to more than just hang on. Rachin Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell saw the rest of the day, ensuring New Zealand went into day three in a relatively good position in the match.
India’s Tactical Misjudgment
India selecting three spinners and not giving much thought to the concern New Zealand’s seam attack presented could be regarded as the major tactical blunder by India. While Jadeja and Ashwin did garner some purchase from the surface during the last hour of the day, the damage the seamers did much earlier meant India already were well behind on initiative terms. In addition, the New Zealand batsmen applied themselves quite well against the spinners, led by Conway, with the rest of the middle order showing appropriate resilience while pursuing their goals.
Conclusion: New Zealand in Commanding Position
The New Zealand teams take into day three at a comfortable 134 runs ahead with seven wickets in hand. Indian bowlers have the task of doing something extraordinary to wrest the game back from New Zealand. The pitch is expected to deteriorate further; all the New Zealand side might do would be to post an un-beatable lead and keep India under enormous pressure in the fourth innings.
The Test has almost witnessed New Zealand outclass India in almost all departments. While India misread conditions, New Zealand’s bowlers exploited the situation to perfection; the batsmen have ensured they are well on top as the match progresses.