New Zealand Stun India with Historic 8-Wicket Victory in Bengaluru Test
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| New Zealand won by 8 wickets, achieving their first Test victory in India in 36 years / BCCI |
New Zealand broke a 36-year drought on Indian soil, clinching a resounding 8-wicket win against India in the opening Test of the three-match series at Bengaluru. The visitors, led by an outstanding bowling display and a maiden Test century from Rachin Ravindra, handed India one of their most shocking defeats at home, taking a 1-0 lead in the series.
Rain wiped out Day 1, but the Kiwis dominated from the moment play began on Day 2. Indian skipper Rohit Sharma won the toss and surprisingly opted to bat first under overcast conditions, a decision that quickly backfired. India’s batting line-up crumbled, managing their lowest-ever total at home – 46 runs in just 31.2 overs. Rishabh Pant (20) was the only batter to reach double figures.
New Zealand’s seamers were relentless, with Matt Henry wreaking havoc, claiming 5 wickets for just 15 runs. William O’Rourke provided excellent support, grabbing 4 wickets for 22. The Indian batsmen had no answer to the seaming conditions as Henry and O’Rourke made full use of the early movement.
In response, New Zealand posted 402 in their first innings, securing a massive 356-run lead. Captain Tom Latham and Devon Conway set the tone with a 67-run opening stand, but it was Rachin Ravindra’s brilliant 134 and Tim Southee’s aggressive 65 that propelled New Zealand to a commanding total. The duo added a crucial 137-run stand for the 8th wicket, frustrating India, who failed to wrap up the innings quickly.
India’s second innings got off to a better start, with Rohit Sharma (52) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (35) putting up a 72-run opening stand. However, wickets began to fall, and it was Virat Kohli’s crucial 70-run knock and a 177-run partnership between Pant and Sarfaraz Khan that gave India hope. Pant’s injury, sustained while keeping on Day 3, didn’t stop him from batting at No. 5 and nearly taking the match away from New Zealand.
However, the turning point came when New Zealand took the second new ball late on Day 4. Pant fell agonizingly short of a century, dismissed for 99, sparking a collapse that saw India lose their last 7 wickets for just 54 runs. They set New Zealand a target of only 107 runs.
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| New Zealand's Second Innings: 110 for 2 (Will Young 48*, Rachin Ravindra 39*; Jasprit Bumrah 2-29) / BCCI |
Day 5 began with rain delays, but India came out firing in a desperate bid to defend their small target. Jasprit Bumrah struck twice early to give India a glimmer of hope, but Will Young (48*) and Rachin Ravindra (39*) guided New Zealand home with an unbroken 3rd-wicket partnership, sealing a famous victory.
The win marks New Zealand’s third Test triumph on Indian soil, their first since 1988 in Mumbai, and their first in Bengaluru. With a 1-0 lead, the Kiwis head to Pune for the second Test, while India will be searching for a way to bounce back and keep the series alive.
Brief Scores:
- India: 46 all out (Rishabh Pant 20, Matt Henry 5/15, William O’Rourke 4/22) & 463 all out (Rishabh Pant 99, Virat Kohli 70, Sarfaraz Khan 150; Glenn Phillips 2/55)
- New Zealand: 402 all out (Rachin Ravindra 134, Tim Southee 65; Ravindra Jadeja 3/85) & 107/2 (Will Young 48*, Rachin Ravindra 39*; Jasprit Bumrah 2/30)
New Zealand win by 8 wickets and lead the three-match series 1-0.
Next Match: 2nd Test, Pune, October 24, 2024.