In a thrilling encounter that resonated with the spirit of resilience and sportsmanship, New Zealand clinched a historic Test victory against India in Bengaluru. This victory marked only the third time the Kiwis have conquered the formidable Indian team on their home turf, cementing it as a significant moment in cricket history. The last time New Zealand registered a win in India was back in 1988, a gap of 36 years which stands as the second longest for the Kiwis in foreign lands. Their longest gap was in England, where after first playing there in 1931, they tasted victory only in 1983.
Historically, New Zealand Test victories in India have been as rare as they are cherished. The Bengaluru Test etched itself into cricket annals as the Kiwis successfully chased down a target of over 100 runs in the fourth innings, a feat achieved only seven times by any visiting team in India since the year 2000. Additionally, this Test marked only the second instance in a decade where India, after opting to bat first, faced defeat on home soil.
The match was also notable for other reasons: it was the first instance since 1987 where India lost a home Test to two different teams in a single year. Earlier, in 1987, India had witnessed defeats to Pakistan in Bengaluru and the West Indies in Delhi. Moreover, New Zealand’s triumph is the first instance since South Africa’s victory in Nagpur in 2010, where a team apart from England or Australia has won a Test against India in India.
A particular statistic that stands out from this Test is the run rate achieved by New Zealand, which was clocked at 4.29. This is the third-highest rate by any team in a Test match in India, trailing only Australia’s 4.92 at the Wankhede in 2001 and England’s 4.35 at Visakhapatnam earlier this year. The Test also set the record for the highest overall run rate of 4.08, underscoring the intensity and aggressive play that characterized the match. India’s run rate of 4.64 for their 462-run innings was their highest ever for a 450-plus total in Test matches.
Bengaluru, a venue usually renowned for India’s dominance, witnessed a reversal of fortunes as the home team faced defeat here for the first time in 19 years.
. Their previous loss at the Chinnaswamy Stadium was against Pakistan back in March 2005. Since 1990, Bengaluru has been a challenging venue for India, marking their fifth defeat, the highest loss for them at any home venue during this period, followed by four losses at Wankhede Stadium.
India’s 462 in the third innings stands as the highest total they have amassed in a home defeat. Interestingly, the previous highest was also at Bengaluru when they scored 449 against Pakistan in 2005. This match was only the second time India lost a home Test while an entire day’s play was washed out due to rain, the first being against the West Indies in Kolkata in 1966.
New Zealand took a commanding 356-run lead in the first innings, the highest they have recorded against India, surpassing their previous best of 314 runs in Napier in 2009. This lead also ranks as the fifth highest first-innings lead conceded by India at home. Among subcontinental teams, only against Bangladesh in Chattogram in 2004, did New Zealand achieve a greater lead of 363 runs.
India’s performance, however, saw a dramatic turnaround between innings. They improved their score from 46 in the first innings to 462 in the second. The 416-run improvement is the third highest in Test history from one innings to another, highlighting the team’s resilience despite the challenging circumstances.
A concerning factor for India in this Test was the number of ducks recorded by their batters. Seven Indian players failed to score, marking the joint-second highest instance of ducks for India in a Test, the highest being eight against England in the 1952 Leeds Test.
The economy rate of both teams’ spinners stood at 4.93, the second highest for a Test where spinners bowled over 600 balls, reminiscent of the Pakistan vs. India Lahore Test in 2006.
In a crowning achievement for New Zealand, William O’Rourke delivered a stunning performance with figures of 7/114, setting a new benchmark for New Zealand bowlers debuting on Indian soil. The collective efforts of the New Zealand pacers netted them 17 Indian wickets, the most since South Africa’s visit in 2008.
This victory not only signifies a crucial win for New Zealand but also showcases the unpredictable and exhilarating nature of Test cricket, where tables can turn and records can shatter in the most unexpected ways.