An absolute anticlimax it was as India and New Zealand locked horns in the first Test match at Chinaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. Batting first, India slumped to 46 all out, courtesy of a 5-wicket haul from Matt Henry and William ORourke’s four wickets. New Zealand bowlers flourished on seamer-friendly conditions as Indian batters didn’t show the application as required to negotiate the tough batting period. Pant top scored with 20 in a dismal batting display by the Indians. Kiwis, courtesy of a brilliant 91 by the opener Devon Conway galloped to 180 for 3, taking a lead of 134 runs at the close of India vs New Zealand 1st Test Day 2 at Bengaluru.
India vs New Zealand First Test Day 2 Highlights
India skipper Rohit Sharma won the toss and elected to bat first on a cloudy day at Chinaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. The Indian team made two changes from the last test they played against Bangladesh. Shubman Gill made way to Sarfaraz Khan, while Kuldeep Yadav came in place of Akash Deep. On the other hand, Kiwis were forced to slot in Will Young as their mainstay Kane Williamson misses out due to a groin injury he picked up in the lead up to the India vs New Zealand Test Series 2024.
Tum Southee bowled a maiden over to begin the proceedings as he tested Yashasvi Jaiswal with both inswingers and outswingers. Rohit Sharma opened India’s account the next over with a tentative poke that went past the gully fielder for a single. He survived a close LBW shout off Matt Henry on the first ball of the fourth over as the on-field umpire didn’t respond in affirmative. New Zealand skipper Tom Latham went upstairs. However, the replay showed the ball clipping the bails, saving Rohit Sharma on the umpire’s call.
However, India skipper could not last long as Southee got him out bowled. India’s score at his fall of wicket was 9 for 1 in 6.3 overs.
Kohli, Sarfaraz, Rahul and Jadeja Out for Ducks to Leave India Reeling Against New Zealand
Virat Kohli came to the crease with high anticipation. However, he lasted for just 8 balls as William ORourke got him gloved to Glenn Phillips at leg gully. Sarfaraz Khan, on the other hand, played a rash shot off Matt Henry to get out. Devon Conway took a blinder of a catch at extra cover to leave India reeling at 10 for 3. Soon, rain came to interrupt the game. After half an hour, the match resumed with Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal taking the Indian innings forward. However, the 4th-wicket partnership lasted for just 21 runs as Jaiswal played hard at the delivery outside the off-stump but could only see William Young put in a dive to take a good low catch at backward point.
Two more ducks followed as KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja played rash shots to lose their respective wickets, leaving India tottering at 34 for 6 at lunch. KL glanced one off William ORourke to the New Zealand wicketkeeper Tom Blundell who pouched it safely. Matt Henry then induced a leading edge off Jadeja who looked to flick on the leg, only managing to find Ajaj Patel at backward point.
India vs New Zealand 1st Day 2, Post-lunch Session – Kiwis Bowl Out Men in Blue for 46
Ravindrachandran departed on the first ball after lunch as he poked tentatively to a delivery that jumped off the length to hit the shoulder of the India all-rounder’s bat on the way to Glenn Phillips at gully. More disaster as Rishabh Pant edged one off Matt Henry to Latham at first slip, leaving India in complete disarray at 39 for 8. William ORourke then dislodged Jasprit Bumrah as he tried to whip off his hips but could only manage a leading edge to Matt Henry at long-leg. Matt Henry picked up his fifth wicket of the innings by edging out Kuldeep Yadav to the substitute fielder Michael Bracewell at gully. India’s innings ended on just 46, their lowest test total at home.
NZ Reply Firmly to India’s 46 All Out
Kiwi openers Tom Latham and Devon Konway gave their team a perfect start by scoring runs at a brisk pace, albeit occasional edges and misses. Whether it was the pace bowling duo of Jasprit Bumrah and Siraj or spin bowling combo of Ashwin or Kuldeep, they both looked solid and compact, showing the right defence and putting away bad deliveries to the fence. They notched up a 50-run stand for New Zealand in 14.3 overs. Kuldeep Yadav finally broke the first wicket stand by having Latham leg before wicket. He scored 15 off 49 balls. Conway, in the company of Will Young, took New Zealand to 82 for 1 at Tea. The left-hander scored 61 not out off just 64 balls, hitting nine fours and two sixes.
India vs New Zealand First Day 2, Session 3 – Kiwis Reign Supreme with Conway Leading the Show
After Tea, New Zealand continued to score runs at a fair clip as Will Young hit Kuldeep Yadav to bring up 100 for Kiwis. Conway looked even more assured and fluent in the second-wicket partnership of 75 with Young who departed for a well made 33 off 73. He miscued a sweep shot off Jadeja which went to Kuldeep at fine leg. A couple of overs later, Ashwin bowled Conway out for 91 off 105 balls. Conway hit 11 boundaries and three sixes in the innings. Rachin Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell took New Zealand to 180 for 3 at the close of 1st Day 2 at Chinaswamy.
