NZ vs India

Rain, Wickets, and Whirlwinds: India’s Test Disaster Against New Zealand!

Catch the highlights of Day 2 chaos as India stumbles in their opening Test! Was it the rain or their batting that did them in?

In a match that started with promise but quickly turned into pandemonium, India faced a substantial setback on Day 2 of the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru. After a washout on the first day, team skipper Rohit Sharma won the toss and opted to bat, hoping the grey skies would clear up and give his team a fighting chance. Unfortunately for India, Mother Nature and some brilliant bowling from the Kiwi side had other plans, leading to one of the country's most disheartening performances in Test history.

As the clouds loomed overhead, the Indian batting lineup crumbled like a sandcastle at high tide. Tim Southee, the seasoned New Zealand fast bowler, struck gold by clean-bowling India's captain Sharma for just two runs. But the drama didn't stop there! Star batsman Virat Kohli, who many were looking to for a show-stopping performance, found himself at the crease for a mere moment before following the captain back to the pavilion, with India falling to a dismal 46 all out. It’s safe to say that the team’s batting order perhaps should have checked the weather forecast a little more closely; nobody likes rain, but being bowled out for 46 is an absolute downpour!

The day certainly wasn’t devoid of milestones, as Matt Henry dazzled with a sensational five-wicket haul, marking his ascent to the coveted milestone of 100 Test wickets. Henry’s consistency and precision made it seem as though he had a personal vendetta against the Indian lineup, leading to the shortest innings for India since they were bowled out for 42 in 1974 against England. With this shocking performance, the Kiwis are undoubtedly feeling like cats who caught the cream, while Team India may find themselves in an existential crisis on the cricket field.

Fans around the globe were left reeling at the shocking display, but amidst the gloom, cricket is a game of comebacks! The Indian side, known for its resilience, still has several innings left in the Test match series to turn the tide. Perhaps a little less rain and a lot more runs is just what the doctor ordered to restore confidence and bounce back from this low point.

Interestingly, this innings of 46 runs marks one of India's lowest totals in Test cricket history. Back in 1974, they scored just 42 runs against England, so this was a grim reminder of how quickly fortunes can change on the cricket field. The 2021 Test series between New Zealand and India was also fraught with squabbles over reviews and decisions that turned the scoreline tumultuous. Will history repeat itself or can India claw their way back? Stay tuned!