New Zealand ended a 36-year drought with a memorable win against India in the first Test match held at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Despite a promising comeback, the Indian team could not prevent the Kiwis from securing a historic win, with New Zealand last winning a Test match in India back in 1988. This thrilling match saw both teams battling it out in testing conditions, but it was New Zealand who came out on top, chasing down the target of 107 runs with ease, losing just two wickets in the process.
India’s Collapse and New Zealand’s Domination
India’s first innings was a nightmare for the home team. In challenging overcast conditions, the Indian batting order crumbled and was bowled out for just 46 runs—India’s lowest score at home. New Zealand’s fast bowlers, Matt Henry and William O’Rourke, wreaked havoc on India’s batting lineup. Henry picked up five wickets, while O’Rourke took four, leaving India struggling early on in the match.
New Zealand capitalized on their dominant bowling performance with a solid first innings. Rachin Ravindra, the Indian-origin Kiwi batsman, was the standout performer, scoring a brilliant 132 runs, helping his team take a huge lead. New Zealand posted 402 runs, gaining a 356-run lead, putting India on the back foot.
Sarfaraz Khan’s Heroics in Vain
India showed some fighting spirit in their second innings. Sarfaraz Khan, who failed to score in the first innings, played a gritty knock. Coming in at number four, Sarfaraz scored his maiden Test century, a fighting 150 in challenging circumstances. His efforts, along with Rishabh Pant’s contribution of 99 runs, gave India a fighting chance, but the middle-order collapse and missed opportunities allowed New Zealand to maintain control of the match.
Rishabh Pant’s dismissal in the nervous nineties, clean bowled for 99, was a crucial turning point in the game. His inability to convert his score into a century was the seventh time Pant had been dismissed in the 90s, a trend that continues to haunt him.
New Zealand Clinches Victory
New Zealand’s bowlers, particularly Matt Henry and William O’Rourke, once again turned the tide of the match in their favor. Henry and O’Rourke shared six wickets in India’s second innings, keeping India’s total at 462 and setting a target of 107 runs for New Zealand.
New Zealand’s chase was straightforward, with Rachin Ravindra remaining unbeaten as they comfortably crossed the finish line before lunch, losing only two wickets. With this victory, New Zealand secured only their third Test win in India, making it a historic moment for the team and ending a 36-year wait for success in the country.
