India’s promising journey in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) faced a massive setback on Thursday, October 17, as they were dramatically dismissed for just 46 runs in their first innings of the inaugural Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru. This score etched India’s name into the record books for an unwanted distinction — recording the lowest total in a Test innings on Indian soil.
Setting a grim new benchmark, India surpassed the previous record for the lowest Test innings score in India, a dubious record that also involved New Zealand. Back in December 2021, New Zealand had been bowled out for 62 against India; however, the tables turned in spectacular fashion this time around, with the Kiwi bowlers dismantling the Indian line-up with clinical efficiency.
Leading this demolition was Matt Henry, who was instrumental in reducing India’s batting to a shambles. Henry’s spellbinding performance saw him secure a five-wicket haul. This feat not only laid waste to Rohit Sharma’s team but also served as a personal milestone for Henry, marking his 100th Test wicket. Reaching this tally in his 26th Test, Henry became the joint-second fastest New Zealander to achieve the milestone, joining the ranks of legendary figures such as Sir Richard Hadlee and Neil Wagner.
Henry’s devastation was expertly backed by his pace-bowling partner Will O’Rourke, who contributed substantially by claiming four Indian wickets. O’Rourke’s figures of 4/22 exemplified the disciplined and relentless pressure maintained by the New Zealand bowling attack, which capitalized on favorable seam-friendly conditions.
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The Indian skipper Rohit Sharma faced criticism for the decision to bat first — a choice that became questionable when the pitch conditions on the second day proved exceedingly beneficial for seamers. This strategic gamble appeared more fraught with risk after the entirety of the first day was lost to persistent rain, leading to even more treacherous conditions under cloudy skies.
India’s batting disintegration began soon after Sharma was the first to fall when play resumed on the second day. Following his dismissal, the rest of the batting line-up crumbled rapidly, cascading into a collapse that the home team found hard to arrest. It was a batting performance that left fans and analysts alike in disbelief, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the sport.
For New Zealand, the XI that achieved this remarkable feat consisted of:
– Tom Latham (Captain)
– Devon Conway
– Will Young
– Rachin Ravindra
– Daryl Mitchell
– Tom Blundell (Wicketkeeper)
– Glenn Phillips
– Matt Henry
– Tim Southee
– Ajaz Patel
– William O’Rourke
Their counterparts in the Indian camp included:
– Rohit Sharma (Captain)
– Yashasvi Jaiswal
– KL Rahul
– Virat Kohli
– Sarfaraz Khan
– Rishabh Pant (Wicketkeeper)
– Ravindra Jadeja
– Ravichandran Ashwin
– Kuldeep Yadav
– Jasprit Bumrah
– Mohammed Siraj
The stark contrast in performance between these playing XIs underlined the potency of New Zealand’s bowling unit and the frailty within India’s batting order under the given conditions.
The events of the day are sure to spark intense analysis and debate about strategies and selections within the Indian team, with particular scrutiny on the decision-making process that led to batting first on such a tricky wicket. Furthermore, the psychological impact of suffering a record low, especially at home, could influence the team dynamics and overall morale, casting a shadow on their strategies for the matches ahead in this Test series.
New Zealand’s tactical execution, on the other hand, will serve as a blueprint for future encounters, particularly in similar playing conditions, reaffirming their status as a formidable opponent in international cricket. As the two teams gear up for the following innings, all eyes will be on India to see if they can recalibrate their approach and salvage a more respectable performance to keep the contest alive.
