In a shocking turn of events, India Collapses to 46 All Out in their first innings against New Zealand during the 1st Test at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. After winning the toss and choosing to bat first, India faced a brutal bowling assault from New Zealand, led by Matt Henry and William O’Rourke. This collapse marks India’s third-lowest total in Test history, a stark reminder of their past struggles under pressure.
India’s Historic Low
India’s score of 46 is now their third-lowest total in Test cricket, following their infamous 36 all out against Australia in Adelaide in December 2020 and the 42 they managed against England at Lord’s in 1974. Here’s a quick look at India’s lowest scores in Test cricket:
| Sr No. | Date | India’s Score |
| 1 | 17 Dec 2020 | 36 |
| 2 | 20 Jun 1974 | 42 |
| 3 | 17 Oct 2024 | 46 |
| 4 | 28 Nov 1947 | 58 |
This collapse will undoubtedly be remembered as one of India’s worst, especially considering the conditions in Bengaluru that initially favoured batting.
A Masterclass in Bowling by New Zealand
New Zealand’s bowlers were relentless from the start. Tim Southee set the tone early, removing Indian skipper Rohit Sharma for just 2 runs, leaving India reeling. Matt Henry was the standout, taking an incredible 5 wickets for just 15 runs from 13.2 overs. His sharp movement off the pitch and unerring accuracy wreaked havoc, especially with the early morning moisture aiding swing and seam.
William O’Rourke proved to be a perfect partner for Henry, delivering another fantastic spell of 4 wickets for 22 runs from 12 overs. O’Rourke’s pace and bounce posed significant challenges for India’s middle and lower order. Ajaz Patel played a key role in the field, taking two crucial catches to dismiss India’s top order batters, including Yashasvi Jaiswal, who managed a slow 13 off 63 balls.
India’s Batting Collapse
As wickets tumbled rapidly, India’s batting woes were evident from the start. Virat Kohli, Sarfaraz Khan, KL Rahul, and Ravindra Jadeja all fell for ducks, leaving the team dismal. Wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant was the only player to show some resistance, scoring 20 off 49 balls, but even his efforts weren’t enough to save India from total collapse.
The lower order offered no respite, with Ashwin and Bumrah also departing cheaply. Kuldeep Yadav managed to add 2 runs to the total, while Siraj remained unbeaten on 4. India’s innings folded in just 31.2 overs, with their final score of 46 setting a sombre tone for the remainder of the match.
A Golden Opportunity for New Zealand
This performance offers New Zealand a golden opportunity to push for a rare victory in India. The Kiwis have never won a Test series in India despite 12 previous attempts. Their last Test victory on Indian soil came in 1988 at Wankhede, but with this commanding start, they are poised to break that long-standing drought.
The early morning rain and cool overhead conditions may have favoured New Zealand’s bowlers, and with rain expected to affect parts of the match, they will look to build on their strong position quickly.
What’s Next?
India will now face an uphill battle from this monumental low. New Zealand, on the other hand, will aim to capitalize on their brilliant bowling performance and extend their dominance as they seek a historic win. With the Bengaluru pitch still retaining some moisture, India will need to show significant improvement with the bat in their second innings to avoid an embarrassing defeat.
Key Stats:
- India’s Total: 46 all out (31.2 overs)
- Top Scorers: Rishabh Pant (20), Yashasvi Jaiswal (13)
- Best Bowlers: Matt Henry (5-15), William O’Rourke (4-22), Tim Southee (1-8)
Will India Fight Back or Face Another Historic Loss?
India must regroup fast to avoid a humiliating defeat in front of their home crowd. The pressure is on, and the cricket world will watch to see if they can recover from this shocking collapse.
