India were bowled out for a mere 46 runs, marking their third-lowest Test total and their lowest ever on home soil. New Zealand’s pace bowlers, Matt Henry and William O’Rourke, dominated in overcast conditions on the second day of the rain-hit opening Test. Henry took 5-15, while O’Rourke, playing his first game in India, claimed 4-22, decimating the Indian batting lineup shortly after lunch.
The 46 runs set a record for the fewest in an innings by any team playing in India, breaking the previous record of 62 set by New Zealand in Mumbai three years ago. India’s previous lowest home total was 75 against the West Indies in New Delhi in 1987.
Despite the opening day being washed out, Indian captain Rohit Sharma chose to bat first under seamer-friendly conditions at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Sharma was fortunate to survive an lbw appeal from Henry in the morning but was soon bowled by Tim Southee with a delivery that swung back in. This set the stage for New Zealand’s dominance as they dismissed Virat Kohli and Sarfaraz Khan for ducks in successive overs.
Kohli, who batted at number three due to Shubman Gill’s injury, was caught at leg gully by Glenn Phillips off a sharp in-swinger from O’Rourke. Sarfaraz Khan fell to a stunning catch by Devon Conway at mid-off from Henry’s bowling, leaving India at a precarious 10-3.
New Zealand could have taken another wicket soon after a brief rain delay, but Tom Blundell’s missed stumping gave Rishabh Pant a reprieve when he was on seven. However, opener Yashasvi Jaiswal was caught by Ajaz Patel off a cut shot, and O’Rourke sent KL Rahul back for a duck.
India’s woes continued as Henry removed Ravindra Jadeja for another duck, the fourth of the innings, followed by Ravichandran Ashwin’s dismissal on the first ball after lunch. Pant, who managed to score 20, was also taken by Henry, who achieved his 100th Test wicket by having Kuldeep Yadav caught at gully.
O’Rourke rounded off the collapse by dismissing Jasprit Bumrah with a brilliant catch in the deep by Henry.
Playing XI:
- India: Rohit Sharma (captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Shubman Gill (injured, not playing)
- New Zealand: Tom Latham (captain), Will Young, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, Tom Blundell (wk), Kyle Jamieson, Tim Southee, Matt Henry, William O’Rourke, Ajaz Patel
This disastrous innings put India in a tough spot, highlighting the exceptional performance of New Zealand’s pace attack in unexpected conditions.
