After a dominant performance against Bangladesh, clinching a clean sweep both in the Test series (2-0) and the T20I series (3-0), the Indian cricket team is all set to host New Zealand for an upcoming three-match Test series. The action is set to kick off on October 16, Wednesday, at the iconic M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. This venue revitalizes memories as India returns to red-ball cricket here for the first time since March 2022.
The Indian side’s last Test venture at this ground was as memorable as it was triumphant. Facing Sri Lanka in a captivating day-night Test match, the team secured a resounding victory by 238 runs, with the exceptional Shreyas Iyer bagging the Player of the Match honors. India boasts an impressive record at the Bengaluru stadium, remaining unbeaten in Test matches here since 2005; Pakistan was the last to claim victory over the hometown heroes 19 years ago.
Since its inauguration in 1974 for Test cricket, the M Chinnaswamy Stadium has hosted 24 Test matches. Out of these, India emerged victorious on nine occasions, tasted defeat six times, and the rest nine battles ended in a stalemate.
As India prepares to face New Zealand at this historic venue, cricket enthusiasts are in for a treat, reminiscent of the last time the Kiwis played in Bengaluru back in 2012. The two teams hold a record of three encounters at this ground, all having ended in India’s favor.
Focusing on India’s Test record at Chinnaswamy Stadium, several statistics come to light:
– Total Test Matches held – 25
– Victories claimed by the team batting first – 10
– Wins by the team bowling first – 5
The scoring record at this stadium displays the fluctuating challenges and opportunities the pitch offers:
– Average 1st innings score settles at 354
– The 2nd innings average dips to 304
– The 3rd innings sees a further drop to 206
– The final innings average drops considerably to 174
The venue has witnessed extraordinary feats, with the highest total of 626/10 being proudly recorded by India against Pakistan. Conversely, the lowest recorded total was Afghanistan’s 103/10 against India. One of the most notable victories at this stadium was India’s emphatic win over Afghanistan in 2018 by an innings and 262 runs.
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Rewind to India’s last Test match at this venue, against Sri Lanka, it was a day-night spectacle. Chosing to bat first, India faced a precarious collapse, getting bowled out for 252 runs in just 59.1 overs. Shreyas Iyer stood out amid the turmoil, leading the scoreboard with 92 runs. However, India’s bowling counterpart, spearheaded by the mercurial Jasprit Bumrah, returned the favor, restricting the visitors to a mere 109 runs.
In a significant turnaround, Indian batsmen put forth a more robust performance in their second outing, amassing a total of 303 runs for the loss of nine wickets before the declaration. Iyer, again, shone brightly with a commendable 67 runs. A spirited effort by Sri Lanka captain, Dimuth Karunaratne, saw him achieve a valiant century, scoring 107 runs as they pursued an overwhelming target of 447. Unfortunately, his partners offered scant resistance, and Sri Lanka faltered at 208, culminating in a spanking 238-run defeat.
In this victory, Jasprit Bumrah played a critical role, claiming three wickets, while the veteran spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin, was simply outstanding, taking four wickets to his name.
As India faces the formidable New Zealand once more on the same ground, expectations are soaring for a gripping contest steeped in strategy and skill. Fans are eagerly awaiting whether India will extend their success streak at Bengaluru or if New Zealand can turn the tables and script their own chapter at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
