New Zealand made history by winning their first Test match in India in 36 years, defeating the hosts by eight wickets in Bengaluru. This victory marks a significant achievement for the Black Caps, who now lead the three-match series 1-0.
India suffered a shocking collapse, scoring 46 runs, their lowest total at home. Matt Henry and William O’Rourke were instrumental with the ball, taking five and four wickets respectively.
The visitors posted a solid 402 runs, with Rachin Ravindra scoring a remarkable 134 runs, supported by Devon Conway’s 91.
India scored 462 runs in a dramatic turnaround, largely thanks to Sarfaraz Khan’s impressive 150 and Rishabh Pant’s 99. However, they lost their last seven wickets for just 54 runs, collapsing from a strong position of 408 for 4.
Set a target of 107 runs, New Zealand reached this mark comfortably in just 27.4 overs, with Will Young (48 not out) and Rachin Ravindra (39 not out) forming a crucial partnership of 75 runs for the third wicket.
This win is particularly noteworthy as it ends a long drought for New Zealand, whose last Test victory in India came in November 1988 when they won by 136 runs at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Since then, New Zealand had lost ten Tests and drawn nine on Indian soil, making this victory a monumental achievement.
Tom Latham captained the side for the first time as full-time Test captain after taking over from Tim Southee. His leadership was pivotal in guiding the team through challenging moments during the match.
The second Test is scheduled to take place in Pune from October 24 to 28. With this victory, New Zealand will be looking to secure their first-ever Test series win in India.
This victory not only boosts New Zealand’s confidence but also complicates India’s path toward qualifying for the World Test Championship final, making future matches critical for both teams.
