India Lose A Test Against New Zealand At Home For First Time In 36 Years
Mumbai: In a dramatic turn of events, New Zealand secured their first Test victory on Indian soil in 36 years, defeating the hosts by eight wickets in the opening match of the series in Bengaluru. Team India’s decision to bat first after winning the toss backfired, as the Black Caps chased down a modest target of 107 runs, going 1-0 up in the series.
Resuming their chase on Monday morning after a delayed start, New Zealand lost their captain Tom Latham early, trapped lbw by Jasprit Bumrah. Latham’s dismissal, however, did not shake the Kiwis’ determination. Just an hour later, Bumrah struck again, removing Devon Conway with another sharp delivery, leaving New Zealand two wickets down.
Despite the setbacks, in-form Rachin Ravindra anchored the chase alongside Will Young. The duo stitched together a crucial 72-run stand for the seventh wicket, guiding New Zealand to a historic victory. Ravindra’s calm and composed innings proved vital as the Black Caps completed their chase with ease.
India’s second innings fightback, led by Sarfaraz Khan, helped them set a target, but it wasn’t enough to stave off defeat. Sarfaraz’s fine batting performance, along with contributions from Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, and Rohit Sharma, were the highlights for the hosts. However, the Indian team will be concerned about Rishabh Pant’s knee injury, which could impact his participation in the remaining matches.
With the second and third Tests scheduled to take place in Pune and Mumbai, India will look to bounce back and level the series. Rohit Sharma’s side will also aim to solidify their position in the World Test Championship (WTC) final and enter their upcoming Australia tour in strong form.
As India prepares for the next match, the team will take several positives from the Bengaluru Test. However, they will also need to address key concerns to get back to winning ways and stay competitive in the series.
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