The defeat against New Zealand in the first Test proved to be an infrequent instance for Team India as they were defeated at home in two Test matches within the same calendar year after a span of 12 years. A resolute Indian side, however, found themselves at the receiving end of an eight-wicket loss to New Zealand on Sunday thanks to the commendable bowling by Matt Henry and William O’Rourke and the splendid batting display of Rachin Ravindra in the first Test of the series held at Bengaluru. This marks the first time in India for the Kiwis in more than 36 years, back in 1988. Thanks to this win, the New Zealand team has taken a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Besides this defeat, India has only lost one more match this year; that too was against England, during the first Test of the five match series this January, which they lost by 28 runs.
This had last occurred before the year 2024 in the year 2012 that was during the series of England when they won the first test but went on to lose the subsequent two tests of the three-match series that was played in November –December.
Additionally, it was Rohit’s third loss in Tests as captain, and this was equal to his third-highest loss as captain in any match played by India.
Aside from Rohit, MS Dhoni, Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar, and Bishan Singh Bedi lost three Tests each as well.
Ninth on the list is Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi who has nine losses to account for.
This is just the 3rd time that New Zealand has managed to beat India on Indian turf in 37 Tests that also includes the win by 167-run at Nagpur in 1969 and a 136-run win in Wankhede in 1988.
Also, this is the first instance since 2000 when a visiting team has overcome a fourth innings 100 plus target in India. This is quite uncommon and considered a borderline failure on the Indian bowling.
During their second innings, India scored 462 runs which is the highest ever runs scores in an innings when losing a match at home surpassing the 449 runs which was made against Pakistan in Bengaluru in 2005.
Kiwis finished off the match with ease though Jasprit Bumrah (2/29) showed some resistance for India while chasing the total of 107 runs flat- Will Young (48) and Rachin Ravindra (39) guided them home.
In fact, India had a larger second innings lead of 106 runs after they made 462/10 in reply to New Zealand’s 402/10 firs intakes. The newcomer Yashasvi, who scored 35 runs in 52 balls while hitting six fours, and the captain Rohit Sharma, who hit four fours and a six in his 52 runs off 63 balls, provided a 72 runs partnership at the beginning.
Then, the onus of the innings passed to Sarfaraz Khan, who first added a 136-run partnership for the third wicket with the well-compiled innings of Kohli (70 off 102 balls, 8 fours, 1 six), before combining with Rishabh Pant (99 off 105 balls, 9 fours, 5 sixes) for a mammoth 177-run stand to give India a cushion of runs in the game. The new ball was taken and all hell broke loose as India lost 7 wickets for 54 runs and the middle order contributed nothing.
When a big lead looked possible, the new ball was taken and William O’Rourke (3/92) and Matt Henry (3/102) went through the Indian batting collapse. Spinner Ajaz Patel got a couple, while Glenn Phillips and Tim Southee took one apiece.
In their first innings, New Zealand scored 402 while getting bowled out for 356 in the second innings. Rachin Ravindra’s breathtaking effort (134 off 157 balls, 13 fours and 4 sixes) and Tim Southee’s explosive 65 runs (73 balls, 8 fours and 4 sixes) raised New Zealand from 233/7 to 402, courtesy of a 137-run contribution for the eighth wicket. Devon Conway was also able to score big at the top making 91 from 105 balls hitting 11 fours and 3 sixes.
For India, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav performed well with the ball, claiming 3/72 and 3/99 respectively, while Mohammed Siraj took two wickets, and Ravichandran Ashwin and Bumrah contributed with a wicket apiece.
India faced a horror show batting first, after opting to bat, aggravated by cloudy and seam friendly conditions. Henry (5/15) and O’Rourke (4/22) ripped into the Indian batting line up and dismissed them for a paltry total of 46 runs in a span of 31.2 overs. Only Jaiswal (13) and Pant (20) went past ten runs.
Brief Scores: Result Inning: India: 46 and 462 (top scorer Sarfaraz Khan 150, second top Rishabh Pant 99, bowler William O’Rourke 3/92) lost to New Zealand: 402 and 110/2 (top scorer Will Young 48, Rachin Ravindra 39, bowler Jasprit Bumrah 2/29).
