India set an unfortunate record during the first Test of the three-match series against New Zealand. In Bengaluru at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, the Indian side was bowled out for its lowest-ever Test total at home.
New Zealand Pacers Dominate on Day Two
After rain washed out the first day, New Zealand’s fast bowlers William O’Rourke and Matt Henry took control on day two. Their combined efforts tore through India’s batting lineup, dismissing the team for just 46 runs. This total marks India’s lowest at home and their third-lowest ever in Test cricket.
Previously, India’s lowest total at home was 75, which they posted against the West Indies at Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium in 1987. Their all-time lowest score is 36, recorded during a crushing defeat against Australia in 2020.
India’s Lowest Test Totals
- 36 all out vs Australia, Adelaide, 2020
- 42 all out vs England, London, 1974
- 46 all out vs New Zealand, Bengaluru, 2024
- 58 all out vs Australia, Brisbane, 1947
- 58 all out vs England, Manchester, 1952
India’s Batting Collapse
Rohit Sharma won the toss and chose to bat, but the decision soon backfired. New Zealand’s pacers quickly seized control. India’s batting lineup struggled from the start, with Sharma being the first to fall. Soon after, Virat Kohli was dismissed for a rare duck, leaving India at 9-2.
Sarfaraz Khan, who replaced the injured Shubman Gill, also fell cheaply, failing to score. Yashasvi Jaiswal held out for a while, managing 13 runs from 63 balls, but O’Rourke eventually sent him back to the pavilion.
Rishabh Pant’s Resistance
Rishabh Pant was one of the few bright spots for India, playing a resilient knock of 20 runs. Despite New Zealand’s relentless pace attack, he held his ground. Pant and Jaiswal were the only Indian players to reach double figures, while five batters were dismissed without scoring.
Matt Henry’s Five-Wicket Haul
Matt Henry capped off India’s collapse by taking the final wicket, dismissing Kuldeep Yadav for just 2 runs. His outstanding performance earned him a five-wicket haul, while O’Rourke finished with impressive figures of 4-22.
India and New Zealand Lineups
India Playing XI:
Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
New Zealand Playing XI:
Tom Latham (c), Devon Conway, Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (wk), Glenn Phillips, Matt Henry, Tim Southee, Ajaz Patel, William O’Rourke
