In a dramatic turn of events at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium, cricket history was revisited as the Indian cricket team faced a catastrophic collapse, mirroring a record that has stood for 136 years. As the rain wreaked havoc by completely washing out play on Day 1, anticipation was rife for the commencement of the Test match between India and New Zealand on Day 2. However, the day’s events would unfold in a manner few had predicted, with the Indian team facing one of its most severe batting debacles in Test cricket.
Emerging on Day 2 with eager expectations, fans were left stunned as India succumbed to a paltry 46 runs in their opening innings of the Test series against New Zealand. The New Zealand bowlers, led by the lethal pace duo of Matt Henry and William O’Rourke, orchestrated a masterclass in bowling under challenging conditions to dismantle India’s batting lineup.
Matt Henry, showing aggressive intent and superb control, snatched five wickets, a performance that propels him into an elite group of bowlers with 100 Test wickets. His efforts were well-complemented by William O’Rourke, who scalped four wickets, and seasoned campaigner Tim Southee chipped in with one. The comprehensive ousting of Indian batsmen by New Zealand pacers was reminiscent of a similar feat achieved a decade ago, at the same venue, when New Zealand’s seamers decimated the Indian batting.
In doing so, India matched an unenviable record set in 1888, being only the second instance in the history of Test cricket where five of the top-eight batsmen failed to score, each falling prey to the elusive ‘duck’. The previous occurrence involved Australia, who were bowled out for a mere 70 against England at Manchester, a record etched in the annals of cricket history. This déjà vu for India reintroduced the grim specter of batting failures, the team already holding the lowest Test total in the ICC World Test Championship history with 36 against Australia at Adelaide in 2020. This latest collapse now also sets the record for the lowest-ever Test total at an Asian venue.
As the Indian team crumbled, it was a different story for the visiting New Zealand side.
. The Indian bowlers struggled to adapt to the conditions that the Kiwi pacers had exploited so well. Exploiting the lack of assistance from the pitch, New Zealand opener Devon Conway played a scintillating innings, accumulating a remarkable 91 runs. With Conway’s fluent knock, the Black Caps amassed a towering score of 180 for 3 by the close of Day 2, establishing firm control over the proceedings.
The playing XI for India was captained by the experienced Rohit Sharma and included prominent batsmen like KL Rahul and Virat Kohli. However, despite their illustrious line-up comprising players such as Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sarfaraz Khan, the Indian side found themselves adrift, unable to weather the storm brought forth by the disciplined and potent New Zealand bowling attack. The bowling responsibilities were largely helmed by seasoned players such as Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, alongside spin maestros Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin. However, the Indian bowling ensemble struggled to replicate the magic wielded by their New Zealand counterparts on the same pitch.
In contrast, New Zealand, under the leadership of Tom Latham, showcased a balanced team effort with contributions in both batting and bowling departments. Notable attendees included the wicket-keeper batsman Tom Blundell and emerging talents like Glenn Phillips and Rachin Ravindra who provided stability and resilience to the Kiwi campaign.
This significant turning point not only challenges the Indian team to reassess their strategies and execution but also highlights the unpredictability and enthralling nature of Test cricket. As the drama unfolds further in the ongoing series, the stage is set for the home side to mount a formidable comeback, while New Zealand aims to capitalize on their formidable start. The unfolding narratives of resilience, strategy, and sheer tenacity promise much intrigue and drama in the subsequent days of the Bengaluru Test.
