New Zealand fast bowlers humbled India to a record low at Bengaluru on Sunday in the India tour of New Zealand 2016-17.
New Zealand’s pace duo of Matt Henry and William O’Rourke led a superb bowling show as India was bowled out for the lowest home total of 46 on day two of the first Test here in Bengaluru. Already reeling from rain that cut short their day one, India chose to bat this morning. That’s one decision that backfired for them within 31.2 overs as they collapsed.
This new record-low dwarfed India’s previous worst home score of 75, set against the West Indies in New Delhi in 1987. Given all things considered, it is India’s third-worst Test score ever, with their worst being 36 against Australia in Adelaide in a pink-ball Test in 2020.
Indian batting problems
Only notable bright spot in India’s case was Wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant, whose 20 stood as the highest individual score in the Indians’ innings. Nothing, however, could stop the free fall as five Indian batsmen, including skipper Virat Kohli, managed to get ducks. The dismissal of Kohli without even crossing the crease-the leg gully catch by Henry-left the home crowd stunned completely.
Tim Southee struck early, clean-bowling captain Rohit Sharma
With a precise inswinger when India had just nine runs on the board. Henry and O’Rourke then wrecked havoc, Sarfaraz Khan and KL Rahul falling cheaply. Sarfaraz, replacing Shubman Gill who was down with neck stiffness, could face only three deliveries before he was caught perfectly by Devon Conway.
The home side crumpled to 34-6 before lunch, and New Zealand’s bowling line-up did not let up after the interval. Henry and O’Rourke could clear the Indian tailender just after the resumption of play, supported by spectacular fielding from the New Zealand men and women.
Matt Henry’s Record
It was, however, the less experienced Matt Henry who stole the show by finishing with five wickets as his last was the unfortunate Kuldeep Yadav, who handed him his 100th Test wicket. He made the batsmen look almost unplayable for India in helpful conditions because he made the ball swing off the pitch quite frequently. O’Rourke was also brilliant in the last over of the match, where he complemented Henry perfectly and also came up with the all-important wicket of Virat Kohli.
A Record to Forget for India
India’s batting collapse has to be told as one of the worst Test performances, especially at home. The lowly score of 75 runs that was set nearly four decades ago was crossed over in a match that seemed to favor the visiting team’s pace attack from the word go.
Now New Zealand are enjoying a massive lead as the bowlers and fielders did everything right; so now, for India, it would be a huge task to salvage from the match by balling it out.
