In a shocking collapse, Team India was bowled out for just 46 runs in their first innings against New Zealand during the first Test in Bengaluru. Rain interrupted the first day, but the second day saw New Zealand’s bowlers dominate, with Matt Henry leading the charge. Rishabh Pant was the only Indian batsman to show some resistance, scoring 20 runs. Matt Henry took 5 wickets, while William Oruke claimed 4, and Tim Southee grabbed 1 wicket.
India’s dismal performance not only stunned fans but also broke several unwanted records in the history of Test cricket.
India’s Lowest Test Score on Home Ground
The score of 46 runs is now India’s lowest-ever total in a Test match on home soil. Previously, India’s lowest home score was 75 runs against the West Indies in Delhi, 1987.
In Test history, India’s overall lowest score is 36 runs, recorded against Australia in 2020. The Bengaluru debacle now becomes India’s third-lowest total in Test cricket.
Top 7 Batters Create New Zero-Score Record
In a historic low, 4 of India’s top 7 batters, including Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, and Sarfaraz Khan, were dismissed without scoring. This is the first time in India’s Test history that so many top-order batsmen returned to the pavilion on zero in the same innings.
Top-4 Batters Contribute Just 15 Runs
India’s top 4 batters—Yashasvi Jaiswal (13), Rohit Sharma (2), and Virat Kohli and Sarfaraz Khan (both on 0)—managed only 15 runs combined. This poor performance is among the worst for India’s top 4 batters in Test cricket, second only to the 10-run total they managed against Pakistan in 1979.
Six Wickets Down with Just 34 Runs on the Board
The top 6 batsmen of Team India managed to score only 34 runs before losing their wickets. This becomes India’s second-lowest score for the first six wickets in a home Test match. On the broader stage, this also ranks as the sixth-lowest score for the top 6 batters in the history of Test cricket.
India Registers Lowest Score on Asian Soil
This total of 46 is now the lowest score by any team on Asian soil in Test cricket. The previous lowest was 53 runs, recorded by the West Indies against Pakistan in 1986. Additionally, Pakistan had also been bowled out for 53 and 59 runs in two separate innings against Australia during a Test in Faisalabad in 2002.
India’s batting collapse in Bengaluru will now be remembered as one of the darkest moments in their Test history, setting multiple records for low scores. Fans and cricket experts are left wondering how the Indian side will recover from such a disastrous performance.
