India bowled out for 46 at home by New Zealand

India suffered a humbling, bruising day in Bangalore as New Zealand’s seamers skittled them for their lowest Test total at home before racking up a big lead.

After the opening day was washed out, India opted to bat first but the move soon backfired as they were immediately in trouble at 10 for three – and never recovered. They were eventually bowled out for 46 in 31.2 overs. By stumps, New Zealand were already 180 for three.

India recorded their third-lowest total in Test history (the lowest being 36 all out in Adelaide in December 2020), their lowest in the first innings of a match (previously 58 all out at Brisbane in 1947) and their lowest ever at home. In 1987, they were bowled out for 75 by West Indies in Delhi.

It was also the lowest total by any Test team in Asia and the lowest total against New Zealand in Tests.

For just the second time in history, five Indian batsmen were dismissed for ducks, including Virat Kohli, batting No 3 with Shubman Gill absent. Only two players, Yashasvi Jaiswal (13) and Rishabh Pant (20) made it to double figures.

“I am hurting to see this score of 46 as captain as it was my call to bat first,” said Rohit Sharma. “It was clearly, misjudgement of the pitch. Obviously, I didn’t read the pitch well enough, and we sit in this situation.”

New Zealand required just three bowlers in the 32-over innings – all of them seamers. Matt Henry led the rout with stunning figures of five for 15 as well as a magnificent catch to dismiss Jasprit Bumrah off rookie Will O’Rourke, part of a brilliant fielding display. To cap Henry’s day, his fifth wicket wrapped up India’s innings and took him to 100 wickets in Test cricket.

O’Rourke was outstanding too, picking up four for 22, including the big wickets of Kohli and Jaiswal. The other wicket to fall was taken by Tim Southee, who set the tone by dismissing India skipper Rohit Sharma.

Southee recently stepped down as captain, making this a dream start as skipper for opener Tom Latham. New Zealand have been through a difficult period, recently losing 2-0 in Sri Lanka, and seeing their best batsman, Kane Williamson, ruled out of this Test through injury.

Their top order held firm against India’s vaunted attack, though, with Devon Conway making a classy 91.

To make matters worse for India, wicketkeeper Pant left the field late in the day having taken a blow to the same knee cap which required surgery last year after a horrific car accident in December 2022.

“Unfortunately, the ball hit straight on his knee cap, the same leg on which he has got a surgery done. So he has got a bit of swelling on it,” Sharma said.

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