The Indian team recorded their lowest Test total at home and the third-lowest ever, getting all out for 46 in the first innings of the Bengaluru Test against New Zealand.
After the first day was called off due to rain, play resumed on day two, with India captain Rohit Sharma winning the toss and choosing to bat first. Under overcast conditions, the New Zealand bowlers capitalized by taking early wickets.
Former Test captain Tim Southee struck first by bowling Rohit for just two runs. Batting at number three, Virat Kohli fell for a nine-ball duck, dismissed by rookie seamer William O’Rourke. Things worsened for India when Matt Henry dismissed Sarfaraz Khan for zero, leaving the score at 13 for three before rain interrupted play once more.
Things didn’t change enough for the hosts after the play resumed.
Henry and O’Rourke dismantled India’s middle order, quickly reducing the total to 39 for eight. Among the top eight batsmen, five were dismissed for zero, including Virat Kohli, Sarfaraz Khan, KL Rahul, and the two all-rounders, Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin.
Despite a terrible start, India managed to surpass their lowest Test total of 36, set against Australia in Adelaide.
Six of India’s lowest team totals in this format have come in Australia and England, and their lowest at home before this came against the West Indies in Delhi in 1987.
Meanwhile, the 23-year-old ORourke, who impressed everyone with his tight line and length and nippy incoming deliveries in Sri Lanka, continues doing so, picking four for 22 in 12 overs.
On the other hand, Henry picked five wickets for 15.
Here is how the internet reacted –
New Zealand resumed batted in the first innings.