NEW DELHI: Opener Devon Conway narrowly missed out on a well-deserved century, playing a brilliant knock of 91 as New Zealand finished Day 2 at 180/3 in their first innings, responding to India’s dismal 46 all out in the rain-affected opening Test at the M Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru on Thursday.
New Zealand took a commanding lead of 134 runs, with Rachin Ravindra (22) and Daryl Mitchell (14) at the crease when stumps were drawn on Day 2.
India endured a disastrous collapse, registering their lowest-ever Test score at home, as they were bowled out in just 31.2 overs. Five Indian batters failed to get off the mark. Rishabh Pant’s 20 and Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 13 were the only notable contributions, with no other Indian batter reaching double figures.
This was India’s third-lowest Test score overall, courtesy of a five-wicket haul by Matt Henry and four wickets by William O’Rourke, who decimated the Indian batting lineup.
India’s previous lowest score at home was 75, set against the West Indies in New Delhi in 1987.
India’s all-time lowest Test score remains 36, which occurred in a pink-ball Test against Australia in Adelaide in 2020.
Earlier, India elected to bat under overcast conditions, and the first day of the three-match series opener had been washed out.
In response to India’s low total, New Zealand started their innings strongly.
Opening batsman Conway formed solid partnerships, first with captain Latham, who was dismissed by Kuldeep Yadav, and then with Will Young. The pair confidently moved the score forward, despite Young being dropped on 32 by Rohit Sharma off Jadeja’s bowling.
Conway reached his half-century off just 54 balls, hitting a six off Ashwin.
Conway showed excellent footwork against the Indian spinners. However, his decision to play a needless reverse sweep against Ashwin led to his dismissal, leaving him visibly disappointed as he walked off the field.
Earlier in the day, the New Zealand pacers had set the tone under overcast conditions in Bengaluru.
Henry and O’Rourke utilized their high release points to generate troublesome bounce, while Southee’s wobble seam and fuller length accounted for the first wicket, dismissing Rohit, who had surprisingly chosen to bat first.
Jaiswal struggled against Henry, while Kohli, batting at the unfamiliar No. 3 position, fell to O’Rourke after a brief stay.
Sarfaraz Khan, replacing the injured Gill, attempted an aggressive shot off Henry but was caught by Conway.
With India in trouble at 10 for three, Pant, who was dropped on 7 by Blundell off O’Rourke, tried to counter-attack but fell shortly after.
Jaiswal’s patient innings ended with a stunning catch by Ajaz Patel off O’Rourke
The dismissals of Rahul and Jadeja left India reeling at 34 for six at lunch, and the innings concluded just minutes into the second session.