GUWAHATI: India was bowled out for a mere 46 runs in their first innings of the opening Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru, marking their lowest total in a home Test match.
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New Zealand’s fast bowlers, Matt Henry and William O'Rourke, exploited the overcast conditions at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Friday to dismantle India's batting lineup.
After the first day was washed out by rain, India’s captain Rohit Sharma opted to bat first. New Zealand’s pace attack proved too much for the Indian batsmen, who struggled to cope with the movement off the pitch.
Rohit Sharma was the first to fall, bowled for just two runs by Tim Southee in the seventh over. This dismissal triggered a collapse that India failed to recover from. The only notable resistance came from wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant, who top-scored with 20 off 49 balls, and opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, who added 13 runs from 63 deliveries. Together, they formed a brief 20-run partnership, the highest of the innings.
Star batsman Virat Kohli was one of five Indian top-order batsmen dismissed without scoring a run, contributing to India's swift downfall.
India’s total of 46 ranks as their third-lowest in Test history and the 18th lowest overall. New Zealand holds the all-time record for the lowest total in Test cricket, when they were dismissed for just 26 runs against England in 1955.
The hosts now face an uphill battle to recover in the Test, with New Zealand gaining a significant advantage early in the match.
