NEW DELHI: Team India faced heavy criticism after their batting collapse, being bowled out for a mere 46 in the first innings of the opening Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru. Rohit Sharma’s decision to bat first backfired spectacularly, and the Indian captain later admitted he had misjudged the pitch conditions.
New Zealand responded with a strong total of 402, led by a brilliant 134 from Rachin Ravindra, a composed 91 by Devon Conway, and a quickfire 65 from Tim Southee, giving them a commanding 356-run lead.
In India’s second innings, they came out with a renewed approach. After losing Rohit Sharma (52), Yashasvi Jaiswal (35), and Virat Kohli (70), the resistance was led by a 177-run stand between Sarfaraz Khan and Rishabh Pant.Sarfaraz notched up his maiden Test century, scoring 150 off 195 balls, while Pant fell heartbreakingly short of a hundred, dismissed for 99. Sarfaraz also became the third Indian batter to score both a duck and 150-plus in the same match.
THE COLLAPSE BEGINS
Just before tea on Day 4, New Zealand opted for the second new ball following a brief discussion between captain Tom Latham, Tim Southee, and William O’Rourke. From that moment, India’s innings took a sharp downward turn.
Tim Southee struck first, dismissing Sarfaraz Khan in the 85th over. The real blow, however, came in the 89th over when O’Rourke bowled Rishabh Pant, who had been India’s backbone.
This triggered a rapid collapse, as India’s lower-middle order struggled against the new ball. O’Rourke soon had KL Rahul caught behind for 12, and Ravindra Jadeja followed shortly after, dismissed for five.
Matt Henry then trapped Ravichandran Ashwin lbw for 15 before running through the tail, taking two wickets in the span of six deliveries. India lost their last six wickets for just 29 runs, collapsing from 408-3 to 462 all out in 99.3 overs, losing seven wickets for 54 runs in total.
CAN INDIA DEFEND 107?
New Zealand require 107 runs to secure their first Test victory on Indian soil since 1988. This marks the same target India successfully defended against Australia in Mumbai in 2004, which is the lowest total they have defended to win a Test at home.
At stumps on a rain-affected Day 4, the Black Caps had yet to score in their second innings when play was halted due to darkness.
The burning question on every fan’s mind is: Can India achieve a remarkable victory on the final day by defending 107 runs against New Zealand?
While New Zealand currently appear to hold the advantage, India’s pacers have some assistance, and with the spin trio of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Kuldeep Yadav in the squad, a miracle is still within reach.
Interestingly, India’s lowest successful target defended in a Test match stands at 107 runs, accomplished against Australia (93) at the Wankhede Stadium in 2004, where spinners claimed nine wickets, including a five-wicket haul by Harbhajan Singh.
India currently lead the World Test Championship standings, and a 3-0 series victory over New Zealand would virtually guarantee their place in the final at Lord’s next June.
