In a dramatic turn of events at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, New Zealand capitalized on overcast conditions to script a memorable day in cricket history. India’s decision to bat first on a spicy pitch backfired spectacularly, as they were bundled out for their lowest-ever Test total on home soil, a mere 46 runs. The conditions, reflecting the contrasting moods of the teams, were bright and promising for New Zealand, while remaining cloudy and ominous for India.
Historically, foreign teams have struggled on Indian pitches, but this day proved an exception as the pitch, shrouded under covers for nearly two days due to rain, offered unexpected assistance to the seamers. A crucial strategic call was perhaps missed by India, as the pitch’s behavior called for a pace-heavy lineup to exploit the conditions. New Zealand, recognizing the opportunity, deployed three fast bowlers, reaping remarkable dividends in the process.
India’s batsmen faced the full brunt of the conditions, with various attempts to counter them failing miserably. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli experimented with walking down the pitch to negate seam movement, Yashasvi Jaiswal attempted to play each ball on its merit, and Rishabh Pant, known for his attacking style, went about his usual aggressive approach. None of these strategies bore fruit. Tim Southee’s deliveries swung sharply, while Will O’Rourke managed to extract awkward bounce. Matt Henry executed a disciplined line and length strategy around the off stump, completing India’s top-order demolition by reducing them to a dismal 10/3.
There was a fleeting sentiment that India might still turn the tables, fueled by the presence of in-form middle and lower-order batsmen. Memories of a recent comeback against Bangladesh in Chennai, where India recovered from a top-order collapse to clinch victory, served as a reminder of potential resilience. However, this time, the script followed a more dire plot akin to their collapse in Adelaide where they were bowled out for 36.
Rohit Sharma’s candid admission post-play revealed a critical error in judgment concerning the pitch and team strategy. Selecting three spinners for a pitch that had been under covers was a miscalculation that backfired dramatically.
. As the sun briefly broke through for the toss, Rohit’s decision to bat first seemed logical, yet the premature optimism dissipated as dark clouds gathered again, leading to the need for floodlights.
New Zealand’s day in the field was nearly flawless, marked by their effective bowling partnerships and efficient catching. India’s fielding woes were highlighted immediately when KL Rahul, attempting to deal with the first genuine edge, allowed it to slip past him. More errors followed, with missed run-out opportunities, drop catches, and stumped attempts going begging. To compound India’s problems, Rishabh Pant was forced to leave the field with a knee injury, making a calamitous day even worse.
Matt Henry, leading the charge with an impressive five-wicket haul, expressed his surprise at the amount of assistance the pitch offered. Preparing for the match with the expectation of batting first, much like their Indian counterparts, New Zealand adjusted swiftly to seize control. The damp Bengaluru conditions came as a boon to someone like Henry, whose Test career—predominantly featuring games played in New Zealand—has seen fewer opportunities abroad. His ability to generate consistent lateral movement kept the Indian batsmen on their toes.
Will O’Rourke played the perfect foil to Henry, employing his height advantage to create steep bounce that troubled the Indian batsmen. His particular method of hitting the pitch hard complemented Henry’s line-and-seam focus beautifully, a combination that devastated the Indian lineup. Together, in just 15.2 overs, they accounted for nine wickets.
Reflecting on the match, Rohit acknowledged New Zealand’s excellent execution, stating, “They forced us to play almost every second or third ball,” an ideal strategy for the conditions at hand.
While the proceedings unfurled differently than anticipated, India’s ambitions in the World Test Championship remain alive for the moment. Yet as the rain continues to cast doubts over matches and strategies, Bengaluru’s debacle serves as a cautionary tale, further clouding India’s immediate cricket aspirations.