New Zealand had pulled off a big win, breaking a drought that dated back to 1988, chasing 107 just two wickets down on the final day of the first Test.
The Black Caps had only won two Tests in India, one in 1969 and another in 1988, before their victory in Bengaluru, with Will Young (48) and Rachin Ravindra (39) taking their team home with an unbeaten 75-run stand in India. rain-hit match in Bengaluru.
Chasing a tough 107 on a rain-delayed day, New Zealand lost captain Tom Latham for no runs and Devon Conway for 17 runs.
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However, Young and Ravindra took the visitors to 110-2 in the first session and took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
First-innings batsman Ravindra, a left-hander, looked comfortable as he hit six fours in his 46 balls and was named player of the match after the eight-wicket win.
Speaking after the win, Black Caps legend Ian Smith opined that India captain Rohit Sharma’s decision to bay on day one backfired, and in spectacular fashion.
“As a New Zealander, I feel very, very happy about this victory. “As a player who came here and was able to do that, I know what it means and how proud everyone is about this,” Smith said in his comments.
“It’s a complete show.
“Rohit Sharma may have made a mistake on the first morning when he decided to bat first – the scoreline showed that and he even suggested it himself – but you still have to be good enough to take advantage of the conditions and New Zealand have for long.”
Young hit the winning boundary, one of his seven fours, as his New Zealand teammates embraced each other in the pavilion. He also hit one six, while facing 76 balls.
“It was very difficult. “There’s been a lot of teams coming here for a long time, so obviously it’s a special feeling,” Latham told reporters.
“To be in this position, I think the work we did in the first and second innings with the ball and the bat set the game up for us. A proud moment for this group.”
Latham, who took over from Tim Southee after New Zealand were swept 2-0 in Sri Lanka, marked his first Test as full-time captain with a resounding win.
Fast bowlers Matt Henry and Will O’Rourke set up the win with 15 wickets in the match as India, having elected to bat after a first day loss due to weather, were bowled out for 46 in their first innings, their lowest home Test score.
“We didn’t think we would make the 46th but we have New Zealand to thank. It set us back and matches like this happen,” said India captain Rohit Sharma.
“You have to prioritize good things. We’ve been here before, admitting to losing a home, things like this happening. We know what it takes and will give it our all in the next two Tests.”
All out for 46?! THUM India Black Caps! | 05:29
On Sunday, Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah gave the home team a glimmer of hope when he dismissed Latham LBW with the second ball of the day and New Zealand was yet to score.
Bumrah and his new ball partner Mohammed Siraj then put New Zealand’s batsmen to the test, with deliveries consistently looping past the bat on a live wicket that had previously been closed due to rain.
Bumrah scored for the second time when he trapped left-hander Conway lbw after a successful review to leave New Zealand 35-2.
But it was India’s final breakthrough as Young and Ravindra guided their team to a famous victory.
New Zealand replied to India’s first innings 46 with 402 then dismissed India for 462 in their second innings.
Sarfaraz Khan scored 150 and Rishabh Pant 99 as their stand of 177 led India’s comeback in the second innings, but from 408-3 Henry and O’Rourke sparked a collapse as the hosts lost their last seven wickets for 54.
Ravindra, a Wellington-born all-rounder who hailed from Bengaluru and whose father watched from the stands, scored 134 in New Zealand’s first innings.
“Every time I play in Bangalore, I love getting support,” said Ravindra.
“My phone started blowing up. The fans are great too. I like the support. It’s great to have dad and family close by, it always makes it special.”
New Zealand entered the match without leading batsman Kane Williamson, who is recovering from a groin injury.
The second Test begins on Thursday in Pune. The third is on November 1 in Mumbai.
— AFP
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