IND vs NZ: New Zealand defeated India by 8 wickets in the first India vs New Zealand Test at Bengaluru to go 1-0 up in the series. This marked New Zealand's first Test win on Indian soil in 36 years, with their last win being back in 1988. Overall they only have three Tests wins in India. Kiwi batter Rachin Ravindra won the Player of the Match award for his century in New Zealand’s first innings.
Team India put up a commendable fight to make a contest out of the match that saw them being bowled out for just 46 runs in the first innings — the lowest Test score by any team on Indian soil — during the IND vs NZ Test.
ALSO ON ABP Live | IND vs NZ 1st Test: Jasprit Bumrah Gets Rid Of New Zealand Captain For Duck On Second Ball Of Day 5 | WATCH
First Innings Failure Leaves India With Too Much To Do In Bengaluru Test
After electing to bat first, Rohit Sharma & co. were bowled out for 46 as New Zealand pacers ran through the Indian batting lineup with Matt Henry bagging a five-wicket haul. New Zealand responded with a great batting display as they posted 402 runs on the board with help of a 134-run knock from Rachin Ravindra.
Trailing by 356 runs, India batters put up a strong fight as a hundred from Sarfaraz Khan and fifties from Rishabh Pant, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma led India to post 462 runs. However, they could only set the target of 107 runs for New Zealand. Coming out to bat in the fourth innings on Day 5, New Zealand looked troubled with Jasprit Bumrah getting an early wicket of Kiwi captain Tom Latham and then followed it up by removing Devon Conway.
However, Rachin Ravindra and Will Young formed a crucial partnership and ensured India got no more wickets and guided New Zealand to a famous 8-wicket victory in Bengaluru.
Watch Will Young's winning shot:
Proud Of The Fightback After First Innings Collapse: Rohit Sharma
Indian captain Rohit Sharma praised his team's fight in the second innings, acknowledging their poor batting in the first.
“It was a good effort with the bat in the second innings. We didn't bat well in the first innings. So knew what was ahead and couple of guys stood out. When you are 350 behind you can't think too much about it. just got to see the ball and bat. Couple of partnerships were really exciting to watch and got us back in the game. We could have easily been bowled out cheaply but proud of the effort,” said Indian team captain Rohit Sharma in the post-match presentations.
Rohit Sharma remained optimistic despite the loss, stating that such games happen and the team will focus on the positives. He emphasised that many players in the team have faced similar situations before, recalling a previous defeat to England followed by four wins. With two Test matches remaining, he expressed confidence that the team knows what’s required and will aim to deliver their best.
“Games like these happen. We will take the positives and move forward. There are guys who have been in this situation before. We lost a game against England and won four games after that. Two Test matches to go and we know exactly what is needed from each one of us. We will try and put our best game forward,” Rohit said.