IND vs NZ 1st Test: India suffered a big setback in middle of the ongoing first Test against New Zealand as Rishabh Pant suffered a gruesome injury on Day 2 of the play in Chennai. Rishabh Pant picked a series knee injury during 38th over New Zealand's first innings. India's star wicketkeeper-batter was thus taken off the field limping leaving already bruised Team India in utter lurch.
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Pant was forced to retire hurt during the Bengaluru Test, after being struck on the knee by a delivery from Ravindra Jadeja in the 38th over. The wicketkeeper-batter, visibly in pain, was immediately attended to by the team's physiotherapists. Following a brief on-field assessment, Pant was unable to continue and left the field with assistance. Dhruv Jurel, the substitute wicketkeeper in the Indian squad, was called upon to replace the injured Pant. Notably, it was the same right knee that he had troubled with in that horrific crash.
Rishabh Pant's top score in India's disastrous batting show
Despite India's disastrous collapse, Rishabh Pant emerged as the top scorer in the first innings, contributing 20 runs from 49 deliveries. However, his efforts were in vain as the hosts were dismissed for a paltry 46 runs, their lowest-ever Test total at home. This was also India's third-lowest overall Test total and their lowest score against New Zealand in Test cricket.
Little did Team India know what Day 2 has in store for them after the opening day of the Bengaluru Test was washed out. India suffered a devastating batting collapse, being bowled out for just 46 runs. Their innings lasted only 31.2 overs, marking their third-lowest total in Test cricket history and their lowest ever at home. New Zealand's pace bowlers, particularly William O'Rourke and Matt Henry, unleashed chaos on the Indian batting order. The collapse was initiated by veteran Tim Southee, who dismissed Indian captain Rohit Sharma early in the innings. India's choice to bat in overcast conditions, combined with a pitch that had been covered due to rain, turned out to be a costly decision. The innings was further marred by five ducks, with notable players including Virat Kohli, Sarfaraz Khan, Ravindra Jadeja, KL Rahul, and R Ashwin failing to score at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
New Zealand rode on Devon Conway's 91-run knock to end the Day 2's play strongly at 180/3, taking a lead of 134 lead.
