Home
Team India could only delay the inevitable as they went down to New Zealand by 8 wickets in their first Test at the M Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru on October 20 after '45 all-out' horror. It was India's first home Test loss to New Zealand since 1988. The defeat clearly left a bitter taste in the Indian camp. Following the match, tensions were evident in the dressing room. Captain Rohit Sharma, head coach Gautam Gambhir, and batting coach Abhishek Nayar were observed engaging in serious discussions, reflecting the disappointment and frustration within the team.
India surrender to New Zealand in 1st Test
The defeat was a major embarrassment for India, marking New Zealand's first Test victory on Indian soil in 36 years. This historic win is only the third for New Zealand in 37 Tests played in India. Additionally, it was the first time since 2000 that a visiting team successfully chased down a target over 100 runs in the fourth innings on Indian soil.
India's remarkable turnaround from a disastrous first innings total of 46 to a towering 462 in the second innings was nothing short of extraordinary. This display of resilience, determination, and skill at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium showcased the true fighting spirit of the Indian team.
Despite a disastrous start with five top-order batters dismissed for ducks in the first innings, India bounced back strongly. Sarfaraz Khan's magnificent 150 and Rishabh Pant's gritty 99, coupled with fifties from Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, propelled India to a formidable total of 462 in the second innings. The Indian bowlers fought valiantly to defend a modest target of 107 runs, pushing the New Zealand team to the brink. However, their poor first innings performance proved to be their undoing, ultimately leading to a defeat in the opening Test of the three-match series.
Rohit, Gambhir, Nayar engage in intense conversation after India's defeat
A video circulating on social media has captured a serious conversation between captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir. While the specific topic of their discussion remains unknown, their body language and facial expressions suggest a disagreement over decisions that may have contributed to the team's loss.
Batting coach Abhishek Nayar also joined the conversation, adding fuel to the speculation surrounding the viral video. Many fans are speculating that the discussion centered around the toss call, which played a significant role in the outcome of the match.
Rohit Sharma acknowledges New Zealand top-notch bowling show
Following the match, Rohit Sharma acknowledged New Zealand's exceptional bowling performance. He admitted that the New Zealand bowlers presented a tough challenge to every Indian batter, and unfortunately, the Indian team failed to rise to the occasion. However, Sharma also praised the Indian batters' impressive performance in the second innings, highlighting their resilience and determination in the face of adversity.
“We will take the positives and move forward. There are guys who have been in this situation before. Two Test matches to go, and we know exactly what is needed from each one of us. We will try and put our best game forward,” Hit-man said in the post-match presentation.
