[Watch] Will Young hits a boundary to steer New Zealand to their first Test win in India after 36 years
Will Young took the spotlight as New Zealand registered their first Test win in India after 36 years. They won the opening game by eight wickets at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Sunday, October 20. Young hit a boundary off Ravindra Jadeja's bowling to take his team over the line as the Kiwis made light work of the 107-run chase.
The Kiwis had won their last Test in India by 136 runs in 1988 at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai under John Wright’s captaincy.
With the win in Bengaluru, Tom Latham-led New Zealand took a 1-0 lead against India in the three-match series.
Watch the winning moment here:
Opting to bat first, Rohit Sharma and company were bundled out for 46 in the first innings, registering their lowest innings total at home. In response, the visitors posted 402, courtesy of a century from Rachin Ravindra (134 off 157).
In the second innings, the hosts fought back with 462 runs. Sarfaraz Khan and Rishabh Pant chipped in with 150 and 99, respectively. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma also chipped in with half-centuries.
Chasing 107, New Zealand achieved the target in 27.4 overs, with Young and Ravindra staying unbeaten on 48 and 39, respectively.
Ravindra was adjudged the Player of the Match for scoring 173 runs in the game.
“Southee's partnership with Rachin was crucial” – New Zealand captain Tom Latham
New Zealand skipper Tom Latham acknowledged Rachin Ravindra and Tim Southee’s 137-run partnership in their first innings as the game-changer for the hosts. He further credited his bowlers for their excellence, particularly in the first innings. Latham said (via ESPNcricinfo):
“Southee's partnership with Rachin was crucial. Rachin - a young guy who's played a few Tests, but he's slotted into a new role nicely over the last year. He settled the nerves with his batting today.”
He continued:
“I thought we'd bat, good toss to lose in the end. Guys put the ball in the right areas for a long time in the first innings and got rewards. Knew India would come back and they did, bowlers showed up with the second ball."
“We know what a quality side India are, we thought the new ball would help them too, built a couple of big partnerships, hundred stand got us forward. Was nice to only be chasing a hundred. O'Rourke has been fantastic, has hit the international stage like he belongs. Hits the pitch hard and gets it to move in the air and off the pitch. Hard to face him in the nets. Southee and Henry too,” Latham added.
The second Test between the two teams will be played in Pune from October 24 onwards.