What is India's lowest total in Test cricket?
The Indian Test team has undergone a major collapse in the ongoing fixture (1st of the three Tests) against New Zealand at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Until the lunch break of Day 2, India are stuttering at 34/6.
India are quite close to their lowest-ever Test score of 36, which was recorded in December 2020 against Australia in Adelaide. The first fixture of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2020-21 saw India bat first and post 244, with skipper Virat Kohli (74) as the top-scorer. In response, Australia were all-out for 191, with captain Tim Paine (73*) as their best batter.
The Indian batting unit then crumbled under pressure, as they were not potent enough against Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood. The pace duo bowled in areas of uncertainties and induced edges from most of the batters, resulting in India getting bundled out for 36.
Hazlewood registered a five-wicket haul while Cummins returned with four scalps. Thereafter, Australia easily chased down the target of 90 runs, with eight wickets to spare.
After the first Test, Kohli returned home for the birth of his first child, and Ajinkya Rahane was appointed as the skipper. Under him, the Indian team bounced back to secure a memorable 2-1 series victory. In particular, they breached the Gabba fortress, as Australia faced a loss at the venue after 32 years.
India under incessant pressure in IND vs NZ 1st Test
The decision to bat first in overcast conditions has misfired for the Indian team in the ongoing first Test in Bengaluru. Veteran batters like Rohit Sharma (2), Virat Kohli (0), and KL Rahul (0) failed to contribute against the talented Black Caps pacers.
India's top-scorer in the current World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, Yashasvi Jaiswal, tried but was dismissed for 13. The in-form youngster, Sarfaraz Khan, could not make the most of his opportunity.
Thereafter, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja (0) also could not continue his good batting form. The lanky pacer, William O'Rourke, has emerged to be the wrecker-in-chief for the visitors, as he has already picked up three wickets.
Currently, Rishabh Pant and Ravichandran Ashwin are at the crease for the hosts. It will be interesting to see whether they can help India post a respectable first-innings total on the board.