In a resounding testament to perseverance and strategic brilliance, New Zealand has marked a pivotal moment in its cricketing history with a victory in the first Test against India in Bengaluru. This win stands as a monumental achievement, being their first Test victory on Indian soil since 1988, ending a staggering 36-year wait. This triumph also represents only the third time New Zealand has defeated India in a Test match in India over the course of 37 encounters on the subcontinent, showcasing just how rare such victories have been for the Kiwis.
The victory in Bengaluru echoes the historical gap of successes that New Zealand experienced in England, where they registered their maiden win in 1983, 52 years after they first began playing there in 1931. This feat in India marks not only a significant milestone but also demonstrates the evolving prowess and capability of the New Zealand cricket team on foreign pitches.
A critical factor in their victory was New Zealand’s remarkable ability to chase down a target exceeding 100 runs in the fourth innings, a rare achievement by visiting teams in India. Only teams with exceptional composure and skill have managed to accomplish this feat, with the last occurrence being in 2000. Moreover, this Test stands as only the second instance in the past decade where India has lost a home Test match after opting to bat first upon winning the toss, underscoring the significance and rarity of New Zealand’s victory.
The Bengaluru Test also highlighted some notable and surprising records concerning the Indian team. For the first time since 1987, India faced defeat at home against two different teams within one calendar year, having already succumbed to England earlier in Hyderabad. Such occurrences have been scarce, with the prior instance happening when India was defeated by Pakistan and the West Indies in consecutive seasons in the late 1980s.
Furthermore, this loss marked a first since South Africa’s win in Nagpur in 2010, where a team other than England or Australia emerged victorious against India on Indian soil, emphasizing the uniqueness of New Zealand’s triumph during this Test series.
New Zealand’s aggressive approach was evident through their batting performance, achieving a run rate of 4.29—the third highest by any team in a Test match against India on Indian soil. This rate stands out particularly when compared to past performances, highlighting an impressive batting strategy.
. The overall Test witnessed a run rate of 4.08, the highest recorded in a Test in India, with India themselves achieving a record-high run rate of 4.64 in their innings of 462.
Crucially, this victory ended India’s 19-year stronghold at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, where their last defeat had come against Pakistan in 2005. The Chinnaswamy Stadium has been a stronghold for the Indian team, with just five losses at home since 1990, making this defeat a significant upset in India’s home record.
From the Indian perspective, this Test was also record-breaking in terms of the highest innings total resulting in a defeat. Their score of 462 surpassed the previous highest of 449, again from a 2005 match against Pakistan at the same venue, which ended in a loss for India.
New Zealand’s remarkable achievement also came during a rain-affected Test, with an entire day washed out, reminiscent of only one other instance in 1966 when India faced a similar situation against the West Indies in Kolkata. This factor makes New Zealand’s win even more impressive, having overcome weather disturbances to secure their lead.
In terms of records, New Zealand established its highest first-innings lead against India with a margin of 356 runs, surpassing their previous best from Napier in 2009. This lead stands as the fifth highest achieved by any visiting team in India, further underscoring their dominance in the match.
New Zealand’s bowling unit was equally impressive, with debutant William O’Rourke achieving outstanding figures of 7/114, setting a new benchmark for a New Zealander taking such figures in a maiden Test in India. Additionally, the 17 wickets taken by New Zealand’s pacers were the most claimed by a visiting team’s fast bowlers in India since South Africa’s performance in Ahmedabad in 2008.
This historic victory has etched New Zealand’s name in the annals of cricket history, highlighting their determination, skill, and strategic acumen. The current Kiwi squad has now set a new benchmark for future encounters, inspiring both the nation and upcoming generations of cricketers with this unprecedented triumph.