India Concedes Lowest Test Score at Home Against New Zealand

Team India faced a challenging day in Bengaluru on Thursday as they registered their lowest Test innings total at home, bowled out for a meager 46 runs in the first innings against New Zealand. The shocking performance saw five of India’s batters, including prominent figures, dismissed without scoring.

Addressing the media post-day, Indian captain Rohit Sharma accepted responsibility for a crucial decision at the toss. “You see and you try and make the judgement. Sometimes you make the right call, sometimes you don’t, and I was on the other side of it this time around,” Rohit remarked, reflecting on choosing to bat first on a pitch that favored the bowlers after being under covers due to rain.

India’s decision to field three spinners in their lineup, namely R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Kuldeep Yadav, while omitting the fast bowler Akash Deep, backfired as the pitch showcased considerable help for pace attack. The team found themselves struggling at 36 for 6 by lunch.

On the batting front, Virat Kohli took an unusual position at No. 3 due to Shubman Gill‘s unavailability, marking his first appearance at this position since 2016. However, Kohli’s effort was short-lived; he was out for a duck, having faced just 12 deliveries. Kohli’s alteration in batting order was to maintain other players like Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant, and KL Rahul in their usual batting positions.

In a candid admission at the press conference, Rohit stated, “I am hurting a little bit because I made that call. But see, for us as a team, I think these are the challenges.” Despite the setback, he emphasized staying optimistic, noting the need to overcome similar hurdles over the course of a year.

Adding to the array of challenges, the former head coach of the Indian team, Ravi Shastri, was vocal in his critique during the match commentary. Shastri jested about the outing, dubbing the scoreboard as part of a ‘duck party’ upon witnessing India’s unusual count of ducks.

Looking ahead, Rohit expressed the intent to keep New Zealand’s scoring in check and recover in their second innings. “We got to bat really big in the second and try and see if we can make a game out of that,” he said. New Zealand had concluded the day’s play with a lead and seven wickets still in hand.