Bengaluru, India

New Zealand’s Devon Conway and Matt Henry headlined day two of the first Test in Bengaluru as the tourists floored India with a 134-run lead. India decided to bat first after winning the toss on an overcast morning, losing wickets upfront and getting all out on 46 - their lowest total at home. While Rishabh Pant top-scored with 20 runs, five batters got out on a duck, including Virat Kohli and KL Rahul.

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Henry picked a five for New Zealand, returning with five for 22, while rookie seamer William O'Rourke bagged four wickets, continuing his golden run in Asia. Former skipper Tim Southee also picked the wicket of India captain Rohit Sharma. 

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India’s 46 is their third-lowest Test total ever and the lowest by a team in Asia.

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New Zealand wrapped up day two on 180 for three, leading by 134 runs. Conway was the Kiwis’ best batter, slamming a stunning 91 off 105, including 11 fours and three sixes. Will Young, who replaced injured Kane Williamson in the XI, scored 33 runs, while veteran batter Tom Latham hit a gritty 15 off 49 balls. 

Meanwhile, New Zealand openers dodged the new-ball threat, with both left-handers deploying the cautious approach. While Latham maintained his ground at one end, Conway attacked the opposition. The pair added 67 runs for the wicket before Kuldeep Yadav broke the stand. 

Young and Conway stitched 75 runs for the second wicket before Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin picked a wicket each to reduce their total to 154 for three. 

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Rachin Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell stood tall till the end, looking confident in their approach.

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Misfielding and Pant’s injury

India had a horrible day at work in Bengaluru, both with the bat and while fielding. Unlike the New Zealand fielders, who impressed one and all with their efforts, the Indians made several mistakes, including misfielding and lost chances.

Besides, star batter Pant suffered an untimely blow to his right knee, the same knee that underwent surgery following his road accident. Pant dropped to the ground immediately, with the medical staff rushing to the spot to check on him. 

After little assessment, Pant was taken off the field with substitute keeper Dhruv Jurel coming in as his replacement. 

The board has yet to make an official statement on Pant’s injury.