Highlights Video: India all out for 46 against NZ in 1st Test at Bengaluru

India registered their lowest Test total at home, being bowled out for a mere 46 runs on the second day of the first Test against New Zealand at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024. This dismal performance marks India’s third-lowest total in Test cricket history.

This is the fist time that India is all-out under 50 runs at home.

The Indian batting lineup collapsed under overcast skies, a decision to bat first that quickly backfired. The innings lasted only 31.2 overs, with New Zealand’s pacers Matt Henry and William O’Rourke wreaking havoc. Henry claimed five wickets for just 15 runs, while O’Rourke took four for 22.

Captain Rohit Sharma’s early dismissal set the tone for the day, as he fell to veteran Tim Southee in the opening hour. The Indian batters struggled to cope with the conditions, with five players, including Virat Kohli, Sarfaraz Khan, Ravindra Jadeja, KL Rahul, and Ravichandran Ashwin, failing to score 12.

Rishabh Pant was India’s top scorer with a modest 20 runs, while opener Yashasvi Jaiswal managed 13. The rest of the lineup crumbled, unable to withstand the relentless pressure from the New Zealand bowlers.

Conway's leap of faith 🤯☝️#TeamIndia lose their 3rd wicket early on in Bengaluru! #INDvNZ #IDFCFirstBankTestTrophy #JioCinemaSports pic.twitter.com/gM3dSzIgKn

— JioCinema (@JioCinema) October 17, 2024

Causes for the batting failure:

Overcast Conditions:

The decision to bat first under cloudy skies proved costly. The conditions favored the New Zealand seamers, making it difficult for the Indian batters to settle in.

New Zealand’s bowlers, particularly Matt Henry and William O’Rourke, exploited the conditions perfectly. Henry’s five-wicket haul and O’Rourke’s four wickets put immense pressure on the Indian lineup.

The Indian batters struggled to adapt to the swinging and seaming conditions. A noticeable lack of application and patience led to rash shots and quick dismissals.

Former Indian cricketer Anil Kumble expressed his disappointment, stating, “It’s a bit worrying. The lack of application from the Indian batters was surprising. It’s important to adapt to the conditions, and today was really disappointing from the Indian batting lineup”.