On the fifth and final day of the first Test in Bengaluru, New Zealand defeated India by eight wickets to win for the first time in 36 years. Tom Latham’s Kiwis outplayed India in every way, bundling the Indians out for just 46 runs in the first innings to secure a memorable victory on Indian soil, their first since 1988.
India Lost To New Zealand After 1988
On the final day, with a target of 107 runs, New Zealand defeated an aggressive bowling effort by Jasprit Bumrah, who took 2 wickets for 29 runs in 8 overs. Rachin Ravindra, who made 39 not out, and Will Young, who was unbeaten on 48, put together a steady partnership that added 75 runs for the third wicket. In just 27.4 overs, Rachin and Young helped New Zealand reach their goal.
New Zealand’s First Ever Test Win After 1988
The last time New Zealand won a Test match in India was in 1988, long before the majority of the current team was born. Amazingly, the rest of his current teammates were not even born when spinner Ajaz Patel, one of the key players in New Zealand’s recent Test campaigns, was just a month old.
New Zealand’s Victory After 69 Years !
The significance of the feat is underscored by the fact that this was only New Zealand’s third victory in a Test match in their 69 years of touring against Host. The legendary Sir Richard Hadlee led the team with a match-winning 10-wicket haul at the Wankhede Stadium in 1988, their last victory in Host Nation. Host Nation has been a fortress for visiting teams ever since, which makes this victory even more remarkable.
India vs New Zealand Match Summary
- India set a modest target of 107, which was never likely to be enough on this pitch.
- Jasprit Bumrah and the Host bowlers made it difficult early on, despite India’s modest target of 107, which was never likely to be sufficient on this surface.
- Bumrah bowled with precision, causing trouble for the New Zealand top order.
- After a slow start, Devon Conway was eventually fired after struggling to find his groove.
- Will Young, on the other hand, was the one who used a positive strategy to counter host’s attack. He played with confidence and guided New Zealand’s chase in the right direction despite the initial pressure from India’s bowlers.
With momentum on their side, New Zealand will now look ahead to the second Test, which is scheduled to take place in Pune on October 24.
