India put up a fight after getting bundled out for 46 but it did not stop New Zealand from creating history at M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. New Zealand registered their first Test win on Indian soil after 36 years. The Tom Latham-led side beat India by eight wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the series and stay alive in the race of World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 final race.
When New Zealand won the last Test on Indian soil, Ajaz Patel was the only player from the current side who was born. John Wright who coached India led his team to a 136-run win at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai in 1988.
Chasing a target of 107 on Day 5, the BlackCaps lost the wicket of their opener Latham in the first innings. He was dismissed lbw by Jasprit Bumrah for a six-ball duck. In the 13th over, opener Devon Conway was trapped in front of the wickets as Bumrah came round the wicket. Conway scored 17 runs from 39 balls including three fours.
Will Young and Rachin Ravindra ensured that New Zealand do not lose any more wickets and finished the run chase in the first session itself. Young scored the winning runs. He scored 45 runs from 76 balls including six fours and one six. On the other end, Ravindra remained unbeaten for 39 off 46 balls.
India’s epic collapse
Earlier, Rohit Sharma won the toss and opted to bat first. In overcast conditions, Matt Henry and William ORourke ran through India's batting lineup. Apart from Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant, not batter could score in double digits. Five batters bagged ducks as India were bowled out for 46, their lowest score on Indian soil. Henry bagged a five-wicket haul whereas young ORourke claimed four wickets.
New Zealand pile on runs
In reply, Ravindra's 134-run knock, Conway's 91 and Tim Southee's crucial 73-ball 65 helped New Zealand post 402 on the board and take a massive lead of 356 runs.
Sarfaraz, Pant rescue India
In the second innings, Indian batters walked out with an intent to attack. Rohit scored 52 runs from 63 balls before an unlucky dismissal to Ajaz Patel. Virat Kohli scored 70 runs from 102 balls and fell to Glenn Phillips on the final ball of Day 3.
Sarfaraz and Pant staged India's comeback in the game with a 177-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Sarfaraz scored his maiden Test century. He departed after scoring 150 runs. Pant who injured his knee while keeping wickets missed his century by just one run. India suffered a collapse after Pant’s departure and were bowled out for 462.
