 "Virat Kohli became the first of William O'Rourke's three wickets after getting dismissed for a nine-ball duck. AP")
India were off to a disastrous start in the three-Test series against New Zealand as they were bundled out for 46, the lowest total ever on home soil, on Day 2 of the first Test in Bengaluru. Only two Indian batters – Rishabh Pant (20) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (13) – as India failed to cross 50 for the first time ever in a home Test!
Rohit’s decision to bat in overcast conditions at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium after the entire opening day was washed out and the second day also witnessed a rain interruption turned out to be a questionable one. New Zealand’s decision to field three frontline seamers turned out to be a good call as Matt Henry (5/15), William O’Rourke (4/22) and Tim Southee (1/8) ran riot in conditions that were reminiscent of what the Black Caps are used to back home.
Not only was it India’s lowest total on home soil and their third lowest overall after their 36 all out against Australia in December 2020 and 42 all out against England at Lord’s in 1974, it was also the lowest total in a Test in Asia. In fact, it was the first time a team had failed to cross 50 in a Test in Asia, surpassing West Indies’ 53 against Pakistan in 1986.
Henry not only completed his fourth Test five-for, he also completed 100 Test wickets in the process.
Earlier, India had been reduced to 34/6 at lunch — their worst start on home soil in more than five decades. O’Rourke had accounted for half of those wickets, his figures at the end of the session reading 8-4-13-3 as he got rid of opener Yashasvi Jaiswal (13) as well as Virat Kohli and KL Rahul – both of whom departed for ducks.
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Henry (2/12) removed Sarfaraz Khan and Ravindra Jadeja – the two also departing for ducks – while senior pacer Tim Southee drew first blood by getting rid of India skipper Rohit (2) with a peach of a delivery.
India thus achieved a new low as a result of their disastrous start on Thursday morning. The 34 runs that they collected for the loss of their first six wickets in the lowest for India at home since 1969. Incidentally, it was New Zealand that had reduced them to 27/6 in Hyderabad back then and came close to winning their first-ever series on Indian soil.
Henry would strike first ball after lunch, getting Ravichandran Ashwin caught at gully for a golden duck to find himself on a hat-trick.
India’s hopes of going past 100 were then virtually over after Pant was dismissed on 20, nicking a delivery to Tom Latham in the slips thanks to the away movement generated by Henry. Jasprit Bumrah departed right after, getting a thick top-edge towards deep backward square-leg with Henry pulling off a fine catch in front of the boundary.
Kuldeep was the last man to depart, getting caught at gully to become Henry’s 100th wicket as India lost their last seven wickets for just 15 runs.