India’s lowest test score: New Zealand pace bowler Matt Henry’s devastating five-wicket haul tore through India’s batting lineup, bundling the hosts out for a dismal 46 on Day 2 of the first Test at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The collapse marked India’s lowest total in home conditions and one of their worst performances in recent history. The Kiwi pace attack, spearheaded by Henry, debutant William O’Rourke, and veteran Tim Southee, left India reeling after a rain-affected morning session.
The day started with India resuming their innings at 17/3 after a shaky start on Day 1. Any hopes of a recovery were swiftly dashed by the relentless New Zealand seamers. Yashasvi Jaiswal (13), India’s top scorer in the innings, was dismissed early by O’Rourke, edging a wide delivery to Ajaz Patel at backward point. His departure left India tottering at 31/4, and the collapse only accelerated from there.
KL Rahul (0), Ravindra Jadeja (0), and Sarfaraz Khan (0) all fell for ducks as India’s batting order crumbled under pressure. Rahul was caught down the leg side by wicketkeeper Tom Blundell, while Jadeja’s attempt to flick Henry resulted in a simple catch for Ajaz Patel. Sarfaraz’s brief stay at the crease ended quickly, as he fell victim to a soft dismissal, leaving India at a perilous 34/6.
Rishabh Pant (20) was the only Indian batter to offer any resistance, battling hard against the Kiwi pacers. Pant faced 49 balls and struck a few boundaries, but his determined innings came to an end when Henry got him to edge a length ball to Tom Latham at second slip. With Pant’s departure, India’s hopes of reaching a respectable total vanished, and they were soon all out for 46.
Matt Henry finished with exceptional figures of 5/12, while William O’Rourke, on debut, impressed with 3/13. Tim Southee chipped in with key breakthroughs, ensuring India’s top order was left in tatters.
Despite New Zealand’s dominance, the weather forecast for the remainder of the match looks grim, with more rain expected in Bengaluru. However, the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium boasts a superior drainage system compared to other venues, offering hope for some play if conditions improve.
For India, this low total could have far-reaching consequences in the World Test Championship (WTC) race, particularly if the Test ends in a draw. With the pressure mounting, Rohit Sharma’s team will hope to bounce back in the remaining matches of this series, before they head Down Under for a crucial series in their WTC campaign.