This was India’s third-lowest score in Test cricket, following their infamous 36 all-out against Australia in the 2020 pink-ball Test in Adelaide and 42 all-out at Lord’s against England in 1974.
Their previous lowest score at home, 62, also came against New Zealand in Mumbai in 2021.
Cricket Australia seized the opportunity to mock India, sharing highlights of their Adelaide collapse and asking, “Is ‘All Out 46’ the new ‘All Out 36’?”
Famed Indian battling line-up collapses like house of cards
India collapsed to 46 all-out on day two of the rain-hit first Test against New Zealand on Thursday, marking their lowest-ever home total.For the first time in 14 years, India faltered in the opening session of a home Test, slumping to 34 for six. This was only the third instance since 1990 that India lost three wickets for 10 or fewer runs in a home Test, with New Zealand responsible each time.Under overcast conditions, captain Rohit Sharma’s decision to bat after winning the toss backfired as New Zealand’s pace trio—Tim Southee, Matt Henry, and debutant William O’Rourke—exploited the conditions perfectly, reducing India to 10 for 3 in the first hour.
Yashasvi Jaiswal (13) was the only Indian batsman to reach double figures, dismissed after a rain delay. Tim Southee removed captain Rohit Sharma (2) early, and O’Rourke dismissed Virat Kohli (0) with a sharp bouncer caught at leg gully, marking Kohli’s first duck in 32 Test innings.
Sarfaraz Khan (0) and KL Rahul (0) also fell cheaply, leaving India in deep trouble. Rishabh Pant remained unbeaten on 15, but Ravindra Jadeja (0) was dismissed just before lunch.
Post lunch, Ravichandran Ashwin was sent packing for a golden duck, followed by Jasprit Bumrah (1) and Kuldeep Yadav (2). Matt Henry claimed a five-wicket haul, leaving India’s batting lineup in shambles from the outset.
Ind vs NZ Brief scores:
India 46 in 31.2 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal 13, Rishabh Pant 15; Tim Southee 1/8, Matt Henry 5/15, William O’Rourke 4/22) vs New Zealand.
