In a riveting encounter in Bengaluru, New Zealand proudly claimed their first Test victory on Indian soil since 1988, marking only their third win in India after a gap of 36 years. This feat places the Test victory as a significant milestone in New Zealand’s cricket history, showcasing not only their grit and strategic excellence but also their ability to adapt and conquer in one of the most challenging cricketing landscapes in the world. This gap of 36 years is the second-longest interval between victories for the Kiwis on foreign soil, second only to their maiden win in England, which came in 1983 after a drought spanning 52 years since their first match there in 1931.
The triumph in Bengaluru was notable for several reasons. It marked the first successful chase of a target exceeding 100 runs in the fourth innings by any visiting team since the year 2000. This achievement is particularly remarkable, considering that only seven visiting teams have accomplished such a feat in India previously. Moreover, this loss is a rare occurrence for the Indian team, as they have lost just two home Tests in the past decade when winning the toss and choosing to bat first.
In an unusual turn of events, the Bengaluru Test became only the second occasion in nearly 34 years that the Indian cricket team faced defeats at home against two different teams within the same calendar year, earlier losing to England in Hyderabad. The last instance dates back to 1987 when India suffered defeats against Pakistan in Bengaluru and against the West Indies in Delhi. Furthermore, this win by New Zealand marks the first time since South Africa’s victorious campaign in Nagpur in 2010 that a team outside of England or Australia has clinched a Test win against India on home turf.
New Zealand’s run rate of 4.29 during this Test stands as the third-highest ever achieved by a team playing against India in India. It follows behind Australia’s 4.92 at Wankhede in 2001 and England’s 4.35 at Visakhapatnam earlier this year. Meanwhile, India’s aggregated run rate of 4.64 in their first innings score of 462 is the highest ever recorded by them for a 450-plus total in a Test match.
Bengaluru has not been an easy battleground for visiting teams, and this loss represents India’s first at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in 19 years, with the last defeat here occurring against Pakistan in March 2005. Since 1990, India has recorded five losses at this venue, more than any other home venue during this period. The latest defeat also set a new record for India, as their total of 462 in the third innings is now their highest total in a home Test defeat, surpassing the previous record of 449 against Pakistan in 2005 at the same stadium. This loss is only the second instance where India has lost a home Test with an entire day’s play washed out by rain, the earlier one dating back to Kolkata against the West Indies in 1966.
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New Zealand’s splendid performance was further bolstered by a lead of 356 runs in the first innings, marking the highest first-innings lead for them against India. It eclipsed their previous best of 314 runs at Napier in 2009. This 356-run edge stands as the fifth largest first-innings lead achieved against India on Indian soil and the second highest lead the Kiwis have ever attained in the subcontinent after leading Bangladesh by 363 runs in Chattogram in 2004.
In an unusual spectacle of cricket, India improved their score from a feeble 46 in the first innings to a towering 462 in the second innings, manifesting an improvement rate of more than ten times. This is only the second instance in Test history after South Africa’s exponential rise from 30 to 390 against England in 1924. India’s staggering improvement of 416 runs is the third highest ever following their 486 runs improvement against Australia at Kolkata in 2001 and the 422 runs against New Zealand at Mohali in 1999.
Statistical oddities continued with seven Indian batters falling for ducks during the Test, tying for the second-highest number of ducks in a Test for India. This tied their previous record of eight ducks during the infamous 1952 Leeds Test against England, reminiscent of the eight Australian batters who fell for ducks against England at Old Trafford in 1888.
The overall economy rate of 4.93 for both teams’ spinners is notable for being the second highest in a Test where spinners bowled over 600 balls, following the rate of 5.13 in the Pakistan vs. India Lahore Test of 2006. India’s spinner’s economy rate of 4.83 during this Test against New Zealand is the second highest with over 300 balls bowled, following the 5.60 economy rate against South Africa in the Centurion Test of 2010. The previous Indian record for a home Test was 4.53 against England earlier this year at Visakhapatnam.
Highlighting individual excellence, New Zealand’s William O’Rourke achieved a milestone with bowling figures of 7/114, marking the best debut performance by a New Zealand bowler in India, surpassing Dayle Hadlee’s 6/74 at the Brabourne Test in 1969. Furthermore, New Zealand’s pacers managed to secure 17 wickets, the highest by a visiting pace attack against India in India since South Africa’s pacers took 19 wickets in Ahmedabad in 2008.
This historic win in Bengaluru not only reinforces New Zealand’s reputation as a formidable force in Test cricket but also adds a rich chapter to their illustrious sporting legacy. As the dust settles on this thrilling encounter, both teams will reflect on the highs and lows of the series, gaining invaluable insights into the nuances of Test cricket’s unpredictable yet engrossing nature.