India vs New Zealand 2024 Test series: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru pitch history and Test records
We are just a few hours away from the commencement of the much-anticipated India vs New Zealand Test series. This three-match rubber, part of the 2023-25 WTC cycle, will begin at the storied M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
Following the Bengaluru Test, the two remaining Tests will be hosted in Pune and Mumbai. The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium has hosted quite a few memorable red-ball games in the past. It was the venue for the debuts of legendary West Indian cricketers, Sir Viv Richards and Gordon Greenidge.
Ahead of the first India vs New Zealand Test, here are some important numbers you need to know from previous Tests played at the venue.
M. Chinnaswamy Stadium Test Records
Test matches played: 24
Matches won by India: 9
Matches won by visiting teams: 6
Matches drawn: 9
Highest team score: 626 - India vs. Pakistan, 2007
Lowest team score: 103 - Afghanistan vs. India, 2018
Highest individual score: 267 - Younis Khan (PAK) vs. India, 2005
Best bowling figures (innings) : 8/50 - Nathan Lyon (AUS) vs. India, 2017
Best bowling figures (match) : 11/224 - Harbhajan Singh (IND) vs. Australia, 2004
Highest successful run-chase: 262/5 - India vs. New Zealand, 2012
Average run-rate: 3.05
M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru pitch report
Four of the top five highest wicket-takers at this venue are spinners. However, with the overhead conditions, and some rain expected, there are chances for extra help for the pacers. The pitch was under covers for hours on Tuesday, which could tempt both teams to play three pacers.
M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru last Test
India vs. Sri Lanka in March 2022 was the last Test at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. While the encounter was won by the hosts, Sri Lanka gave them a tough time initially.
A three-fer from Lasith Embuldeniya reduced India to 183/7. However, Shreyas Iyer then played a phenomenal knock of 92 that took India to 252 in the first innings. Jasprit Bumrah then worked his magic, recording figures of 5/24 as the visitors were skittled out for just 109.
In India's second innings, both Iyer (67) and Rishabh Pant (50) made fifties to hand Sri Lanka a target of 447 runs. Despite Dimuth Karunaratne's vigilant 107, India bowled out the Lankans for 208, thus winning the clash by 238 runs.