What happened on Day 2 of the 1st IND vs NZ 2024 Test?
New Zealand bundled out India for a paltry 46 in 31.2 overs on Day 2 of the first Test at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Thursday, October 17. After Day 1 of the contest was completely washed out due to rain, the Kiwis dominated Day 2 as India posted their lowest Test total at home and third-lowest ever. In response, New Zealand went to stumps on Day 2 at 180-3 in 50 overs.
Earlier, India won the toss and opted to bat first under helpful conditions for bowlers. The bold move, however, backfired in a big way as the hosts' batting stood completely exposed in conditions that were near-perfect for Kiwi pacers. Matt Henry (5-15) and William O’Rourke (4-22) produced excellent figures.
Skipper Rohit Sharma (2) began the procession of wickets. He was knocked over by Tim Southee (1-8) with one that jagged back in sharply as he looked to charge the pacer. With Shubman Gill unfit for the Test, Virat Kohli batted at No. 3. However, he fell for a nine-ball duck, gloving a short of a length ball from O’Rourke to leg gully, where Glenn Phillips took a sharp catch.
Sarfaraz Khan also perished without scoring, miscuing an attempted big hit from Henry to mid-off, where Devon Conway plucked a one-handed stunner. Yashasvi Jaiswal (13) hung around for more than 100 minutes before cutting a short and wide ball from O'Rourke to point. KL Rahul (0) played a nothing stroke and was caught down the leg as Team India lost half their side for 33.
India went to lunch on Day 2 in Bengaluru at 34-6 as Ravindra Jadeja (0) lobbed a simple catch off Henry to point. There was no change of luck for the hosts in the second session as Ravichandran Ashwin fell or a golden duck, edging a probing delivery from Henry to gully.
Rishabh Pant's resistance ended on 20 when he too nicked one from Henry that nipped away to the second slip. Jasprit Bumrah (1) and Kuldeep Yadav (2) also could not add much to India's total as the hosts finished with an embarrassing total.
Conway leads New Zealand's response with the bat
Having knocked over India for under 50, New Zealand built on the great platform as their openers added 67 runs for the first wicket. The frustrating stand was broken when Kuldeep trapped Kiwi skipper Tom Latham (15) as the batter played down the wrong line.
There was not much respite for India, though, as Conway (91) and Will Young (33) added 75 for the second wicket. The partnership ended when Will Young top-edged a sweep off Jadeja to short fine leg. Conway was looking good for three figures when he gave his wicket away. He attempted a reverse sweep off Ashwin and ended up getting bowled.
At stumps on Day 2 of the India vs New Zealand Test in Bengaluru, Rachin Ravindra was unbeaten on 22 and Daryl Mitchell on 14. The visitors have a significant first-innings lead of 134, with seven wickets still in hand.