New Zealand in Command as India Collapse to Record Low on Dramatic Day 2
New Zealand took firm control of the second Test against India on Day 2, ending the day at 180/3 with a lead of 134 runs, after skittling India for just 46 earlier in the morning. Devon Conway’s superb 91 and a clinical display by the New Zealand seamers left India with an uphill battle in the days to come.
The day began with a bold decision from Indian skipper Rohit Sharma, who opted to bat first under overcast conditions on a surface that had been under covers for days. Unfortunately for India, the choice backfired spectacularly. New Zealand’s pace attack, led by Matt Henry (5/15), dismantled the Indian lineup, reducing them to 34/6 by lunch and eventually bowling them out for their third-lowest total in Test history. It was also India’s lowest total at home and against New Zealand.
Rishabh Pant (20) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (13) were the only Indian batters to reach double figures as the top order crumbled. Star batters Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, and local favorite Sarfaraz Khan were all dismissed for ducks. Rohit Sharma (4) fell to Tim Southee (1/8) early, triggering the collapse.
Young Canterbury pacer William O’Rourke (4/22) bowled with pace and bounce to support Henry, completing a devastating performance by New Zealand’s bowlers. Henry also reached the milestone of 100 Test wickets during his fifer.
New Zealand’s response with the bat was solid. Openers Devon Conway and Tom Latham (15) put on 67 runs for the first wicket before Latham was trapped LBW by Kuldeep Yadav (1/57). Conway then combined with Will Young (33) in a 75-run partnership that further strengthened the visitors’ position. Ravindra Jadeja (1/28) removed Young, but Conway continued to dominate the Indian bowlers with his aggressive strokeplay.
Conway fell agonizingly short of a century when he was bowled attempting a reverse sweep off Ravichandran Ashwin (1/46). His innings of 91 off 105 balls included 11 fours and 3 sixes, giving New Zealand a commanding lead.
Rachin Ravindra (22*) and Daryl Mitchell (14*) batted cautiously to ensure no further damage before bad light forced an early end to the day's play. India’s seamers struggled to make an impact on a pitch that appeared to ease out as the day progressed. Adding to India’s woes, wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant left the field with a knee injury, forcing debutant Dhruv Jurel to take over behind the stumps.
Key Moments:
- Matt Henry’s five-wicket haul as India were bundled out for 46, their lowest-ever score in a home Test.
- Devon Conway’s blistering 91 laid the foundation for New Zealand’s dominance with the bat.
- India’s dropped catches and Pant’s injury added to their mounting troubles as the visitors took a commanding lead.
Stumps Summary:
- India 1st Innings: 46 all out (Matt Henry 5/15, William O'Rourke 4/22)
- New Zealand 1st Innings: 180/3 (Devon Conway 91, Will Young 33, Kuldeep Yadav 1/57)