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India faced a disastrous outing against New Zealand, getting bowled out for 46 on Day 2 of the first Test of a three-match series. The innings lasted only 31.2 overs on an overcast morning in Bengaluru, as India slumped to their third-lowest total in Test cricket history. It was also their lowest total at home. New Zealand’s pacers William O’Rourke and Matt Henry bowled exceptionally, while Tim Southee started the collapse by dismissing India’s captain Rohit Sharma in the opening hour.
India struggles under overcast conditions: 46 all-out
Opting to bat on a pitch that had been under covers for three days due to rain, India’s decision backfired as they were unable to cope with the swing-friendly conditions. With grey skies overhead, the Blackcaps seamers exploited the conditions to perfection, reducing India to a shambolic total. India’s batting lineup collapsed with as many as five ducks in the innings, including notable names like Virat Kohli, Sarfaraz Khan, Ravindra Jadeja, KL Rahul and Ravichandran Ashwin.
Rishabh Pant (20) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (13) were the only Indian batters to show some fight, reaching double digits in an otherwise forgettable morning. Pant’s aggression saw him hold out longer than most, but New Zealand’s bowling attack remained relentless throughout the innings.
Also READ: IND vs NZ: Twitter roasts KL Rahul for his 6-ball duck on Day 2 🐓of the Bengaluru Test
Matt Henry and William O’Rourke star for New Zealand
Henry was the standout performer with the ball, picking up five wickets, including key scalps like Pant, Sarfaraz and Jadeja. Henry finished with impressive figures of 5/15. Meanwhile, young pacer O’Rourke produced a fiery spell, taking 4/22 and rattling India’s top order. He dismissed Kohli with a sharp bouncer, caught at leg gully, and continued to trouble the Indian batters.
India’s top order was decimated in the first hour of play. Rohit (2) was cleaned up by Tim Southee, setting the tone for the rest of the innings. Kohli and Rahul both failed to open their accounts, adding to India’s misery. Sarfaraz, too, could not last beyond three balls, falling to Henry’s masterful swing bowling.
Here’s how netizens reacted:
46 All Out, This is India💛 lowest total at home Test
— Sagar Mhatre (@MhatreGang)
PROUD MOMENT FOR INDIAN FANS .!!! ⭐
– Team 36 scored more than their lowest total and this is definitely a sight of relief for ICT Fans.
— Ehtisham Siddique (@iMShami_)
46 all out . India offers NZ home conditions in India thanks to the Monsoon. Hope the wicket stays that wayꦯ 🙂
— Vikram Sathaye (@vikramsathaye)
Perfect storm for India.
Lively pitch, amazingly accurate bowling by N๊Z to the make most of the conditions & then brilliant catching! 👏👏👏— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar)
India all-out for 46 in a Test inns in India. 😂
— Daniel Alexander (@daniel86cricket)
India all out for 46 against New Zealand at Bengaluru. Their lowest total at home and over all India's third lowest score.
— Faizan Lakhani (@faizanlakhani)
//tw꧃itter.com/dagiroxforever7/status/1846822274982089164
I am wondering if I am rea🦩ding right! India 46 all 𓄧out at home? Unbelievable.
— Roshan Abeysinghe (@RoshanCricket)
What a day, seriously!
Both cricket and the stock market threw such a googly today. Not sure which one's hurting more! 🏏📉
Nifty -200 pts 📉
India bowled out for 46 runs 😔
— Nigel D'Souza (@Nigel__DSouza)
India's 46 all out is the second lowest total in history by a team that chose to bat in a home Test. Lowest is 42 by NZ vs Aus in Wellington in 1946.
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad)
India got all out for 46—ju🦄st imaওgine if it had been 45! 😉😅
— Vipin Tiwari (@Vipintiwari952)
Look on the bright side Indian fans .. at least you have got past ൲36 .. 😜😜
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan)
�꧅� Third-lowest 🐲Test total ever for Team India 👀
— betvisa68.com (@CricketTimesHQ)
