October 20, 2024: New Zealand secured a historic eight-wicket victory over India in the first Test at Bengaluru, marking their first win on Indian soil in 36 years, since 1988.
The Kiwis now lead the three-match series 1-0, thanks to an all-around performance led by bowlers Matt Henry and William O’Rourke, and a brilliant batting display from Rachin Ravindra.
Chasing a modest target of 107, New Zealand had a shaky start as Jasprit Bumrah dismissed captain Tom Latham for a duck on just the second ball of the innings. Bumrah struck again by removing Devon Conway for 17, reducing New Zealand to 35/2. However, Will Young (48* off 76) and Rachin Ravindra (39* off 46) stabilized the chase with an unbeaten partnership, guiding New Zealand to 110/2 in 27.4 overs to claim the win. Bumrah was India’s standout bowler, finishing with figures of 2/29.
Earlier, India had fought back to post 462 in their second innings, following a dismal first innings where they were bowled out for just 46 runs. Sarfaraz Khan’s brilliant 150, along with partnerships of 136 runs with Virat Kohli (70) and 177 runs with Rishabh Pant (99), helped India recover. However, a late collapse triggered by the second new ball saw India lose seven wickets for just 54 runs. William O’Rourke (3/92) and Matt Henry (3/102) capitalized, while Ajaz Patel took two wickets to restrict India’s lead to 106 runs.
New Zealand’s first-innings total of 402 was anchored by a splendid 134 from Rachin Ravindra and a valuable 91 from Devon Conway. Ravindra also shared a crucial 137-run eighth-wicket stand with Tim Southee, whose quickfire 65 helped New Zealand recover from 233/7. India’s bowlers, led by Ravindra Jadeja (3/72) and Kuldeep Yadav (3/99), bowled well, but New Zealand managed to take a crucial 46-run lead after India’s first-innings collapse.
In India’s first innings, Henry (5/15) and O’Rourke (4/22) wreaked havoc under overcast, pace-friendly conditions, dismissing India for just 46 runs. Only Yashasvi Jaiswal (13) and Rishabh Pant (20) managed double-digit scores.
New Zealand’s victory broke a long-standing drought in India and gave them early control of the series, with two more Tests to play.
