IND v NZ 2024: New Zealand win in Bengaluru, bags first Test victory in India in 36 years

New Zealand beat India by eight wickets to win the first Test in Bengaluru on Sunday (Oct 20), ending 36-year wait of bagging a Test victory in the country. Chasing a mere 107 on the final day, the Kiwis lost both openers to Jasprit Bumrah, but Will Young and Rachin Ravindra ensured a smooth ride afterwards. Besides, this is New Zealand’s third Test win in India, with the first two coming in Nagpur (1969) and Mumbai (1988).

A win in Bengaluru sees New Zealand take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Meanwhile, the first Test had everything a cricket fan would wish for - from drama to action, from a team getting all out under 50 to the same side smashing the most runs in an innings in this match. Besides, three players scored centuries of the highest order.

After day one got washed out due to the rain and wet outfield, New Zealand seamers made merry with the new ball inside the first two sessions on the second day, dismissing India on 46 – their lowest Test total at home and third-lowest overall.

In reply, the Kiwis took a 134-run lead before stumps were called on day two. Day three was all about New Zealand all-rounder Rachin Ravindra, who hit a fantastic 134, helping his team take a massive 356-run lead in the first innings.

Though the lead was daunting, Rohit Sharma’s men ensured they remained unbothered by it. Unlike how it panned out in the first innings, both openers began with the onslaught, with the skipper charging and completing a fifty soon. Following his wicket, Virat Kohli and Sarfaraz Khan added 136 for the third wicket before Glenn Phillips picked up Kohli on the last ball of day three to dent India’s momentum.

Day four drama and Pant’s masterclass

Day four was a dream day for the Indian fans. While Sarfaraz was inching closer to his maiden Test hundred in the first session, Pant was waiting at the other end to unleash himself. The pair wreaked havoc, adding 177 for the fourth wicket, with India’s scorecard reading 408 for three at one stage.

The situation, however, changed soon after with the introduction of the second new ball, with the seamers making the most of it. While the rookie seamer William ORourke returned with three wickets, including removing Pant on 99 – his seventh score in the 90s in Tests, Henry picked as many wickets to wrap up India’s innings on 462, with them needing 107 runs to win.

Although the bad light forced the umpires to call off play late on day four, Bumrah made early inroads in the final innings by removing Kiwi skipper Tom Latham, trapped in front on a duck.

Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj kept beating the edges, with Bumrah later picking Devon Conway similarly. That, however, was the last wicket of the day, with Rachin and Young stitching a 75-run partnership for the third wicket to see New Zealand through.

Pune will stage the second match on Thursday (Oct 21).