India suffered a shocking eight-wicket defeat against New Zealand in the first Test of a three-match series at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The hosts were bundled out for just 46 runs in the first innings, their third lowest Test total. After that, India gave a tough a fight but could only set a target of 107 runs for the Kiwis. This was also New Zealand’s first Test victory in India after 36 years.
India are known to be a strong side at home in Tests. However, getting bowled out for just 46 runs in front of the home crowd was a big shock for India. On the other hand, New Zealand also made a great comeback after losing a Test series in Sri Lanka recently. In the following listicle, we will have a look at three major reasons why India lost the first against New Zealand.
Why India lost first Test vs New Zealand?
Batting collapse in the first innings
India already got a big setback in the match when they were bowled out for just 46 runs in the first innings. The Indian batters didn’t have answers to New Zealand’s fast bowling line ups. However, India were looking to make a strong comeback in the second innings, but couldn’t recover much from the massive 356-run lead in the first innings. The hosts posted 462 runs in the second innings giving New Zealand a target of 107 runs.
Bowlers failed to take early wickets
After getting bowled out for just 46 runs, India couldn’t do wonders even with the bowling in the first innings as New Zealand surpassed their total without losing any wicket. With frequent partnerships along with Rachin Ravindra’s century and Devon Conway’s 91-run knock, New Zealand posted 402 runs taking a massive lead of 356 runs in the first innings. Tim Southee also shone with the knock of 65 runs.
Lower-order failure after fightback in second innings
After trailing by 356 runs in the first innings, India were looking to make a comeback in the second innings. After skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s half-centuries, Sarfaraz Khan (150 off 195) and Rishabh Pant (99 off 105) were on their way to script one of the greatest comebacks for India in Test cricket with a partnership of 177 runs and surpassed the 356-run lead with 7 wickets in hand. However, after the partnership was broken, the Indian batters fell like a pack of cards as the hosts lost their last 7 wickets for just 54 runs setting New Zealand a target of just 107 runs to win.