Tom Latham’s led New Zealand cricket team secured their first test match win in India after 36 years of long wait. On Sunday (October 20), the Kiwis defeated Team India by 8 wickets on the fifth and final day of the opening test match at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

Also, Latham becomes the third New Zealand captain to claim a victory in the red-ball format on Indian soil after three and half decades. Earlier, Graham Dowling was the first Kiwis skipper to achieve this rare feat with a record-setting victory in the Nagpur test (1969). Later in 1988, John Wright joined the list with a remarkable win in Mumbai. 

The Indians hailed for their dominating performance on their fortress, were outbeaten by the New Zealand bowlers. Particularly, India’s first innings score of 46-all-out turned out to be their lowest-ever score in test cricket history at home.

In response, New Zealand ensured a lead of 356 runs, riding on Rachin Ravindra’s century as well as the essential fifties from Devon Conway and Tim Southee.

Despite the brilliant efforts of the batters in India’s second innings including Sarfaraz Khan’s maiden test century, and half-centuries from Rishabh Pant, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma, it wasn’t enough for India to recover from a disastrous first-innings collapse. As a result, defending a target of 107 runs proved to be too tough for the bowlers.

During the post-match press conference, Tom Latham said that losing the toss turned out to be fortunate for his side. Interestingly, several noteworthy records were witnessed during the highly intense battle between India and New Zealand first out of the third test match.

Let’s find out the main reasons that resulted in New Zealand concluding their 36-year drought period of winning the test match in India.

Major Contributing Factors that helped New Zealand win their First Test match in India Since 1988

Although the game was abandoned on Day 1 due to severe rains, New Zealand managed to achieve a commanding victory in India after 36 years due to these game-changing elements:

1. Losing Toss after Severe Rains on Day 1:

After the match, New Zealand captain Tom Latham admitted that he initially decided to bat first and felt that losing the toss worked in his team’s favor. The heavy rains in Bengaluru on Day 1, changed the course of the pitch on the next day which assisted New Zealand bowlers in generating a huge swing and pace similar to their homeground conditions.

Especially, the stellar performances of the fast bowlers Matt Henry (5-15 in 13.2 overs), William O’Rourke (4-22 in 12 overs), and Tim Southee (1-8 in 6 overs) bundled out India’s first innings total to just 46 in 31.2 overs, which is indeed their third lowest in test cricket so far (including home and overseas matches).

2. New Zealand’s 356-run lead in 2nd Innings:

Even after Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav’s 3-fer in 2nd innings, the Indian bowlers were left clueless to tackle the assault of New Zealand batters propelling their side to a 356-run lead.

As an opener, Devon Conway’s 105-ball-91 run knock with 11 fours and 3 sixes helped provide a solid start to the visitors.

In addition, Rachin Ravindra’s second test century of 134 runs from 157 balls (including 13 fours and 4 sixes), supported by Tim Southee’s valuable contribution of 65 runs from 73 balls (including 5 fours and 4 sixes) batting in the lower order was instrumental in helping the Kiwis post a total of 402-10 in 91.3 overs.

3. India’s Collapse Against Second New Ball:

Before the new ball was introduced in the 3rd innings, Team India batters ripped apart the New Zealand bowlers.

At one stage, it seemed challenging for Tom Latham and his men to control the dynamic approach of these Indian batsmen:

• Rohit Sharma: 52 runs out of 63 balls – 8 fours and 1 six.
• Virat Kohli: 70 runs out of 102 balls – 8 fours and 1 six.
• Rishabh Pant: 99 runs out of 105 balls – 9 fours and 5 sixes.
• Sarfaraz Khan: 150 runs out of 195 balls –18 fours and 3 sixes. 

However, New Zealand bowlers made a comeback with the new ball after the 80th over. Consequently, India’s score was restricted to 462-10 in 99.3 overs from 400-3 in 80 overs, causing just 62 runs being scored in 19.3 overs for a loss of 7 wickets that ensured a lead of 106 runs.

4. Less Competitive Target of 107 Runs:

Chasing a low target of 107 runs on the final day, New Zealand batters found it challenging to defend Jasprit Bumrah’s fierce bowling attack of 2-29 in 8 overs.

However, the chase seemed to be easier with Will Young’s unbeaten 48 runs from 76 balls (including 6 fours and 1 six) and Rachin Ravindra remaining not out with a 46-ball-39 run knock (including 6 fours). The duo batters added a 75-run partnership that helped the Blackcaps chase the target by scoring 110 runs in just 27.4 overs.

Notable Records from India vs New Zealand Bengaluru Test Match 2024

These are the important milestones accomplished by the top performers of India vs New Zealand’s first test match in Bengaluru:

1. Matt Henry becomes the second-fastest New Zealand bowler to claim his 100th test wicket in 26 matches. Currently, the former cricketer Richard Hadlee leads the list, achieving a stunning record in just 25 matches.
   
2. Virat Kohli ranks as the fourth Indian batsman to surpass 9k runs in test cricket (9,017 runs) after the legendary cricketers Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Sunil Gavaskar. Also, he becomes the second most capped player for India with 536 caps overtaking the position of the former Indian skipper MS Dhoni (535 caps).
   
3. Rachin Ravindra becomes the first New Zealand batter to score a test century in India since 2012 after Ross Taylor’s 127-ball-113 runs in the same stadium.
   
4. Sarfaraz Khan registered his name in the history of cricket by becoming the third Indian batter to score 150 runs or more batting at the No.4 position in a test match. Earlier, Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi scored a double century of 203 runs not out in 1964 against England. However, Sachin Tendulkar achieved this record twice in his career against Australia (155 runs) in 1998 and West Indies (176 runs) in 2002. 

Tom Latham’s led New Zealand cricket team secured their first test match win in India after 36 years of long wait. On Sunday (October 20), the Kiwis defeated Team India by 8 wickets on the fifth and final day of the opening test match at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

Also, Latham becomes the third New Zealand captain to claim a victory in the red-ball format on Indian soil after three and half decades. Earlier, Graham Dowling was the first Kiwis skipper to achieve this rare feat with a record-setting victory in the Nagpur test (1969). Later in 1988, John Wright joined the list with a remarkable win in Mumbai. 

The Indians hailed for their dominating performance on their fortress, were outbeaten by the New Zealand bowlers. Particularly, India’s first innings score of 46-all-out turned out to be their lowest-ever score in test cricket history at home.

In response, New Zealand ensured a lead of 356 runs, riding on Rachin Ravindra’s century as well as the essential fifties from Devon Conway and Tim Southee.

Despite the brilliant efforts of the batters in India’s second innings including Sarfaraz Khan’s maiden test century, and half-centuries from Rishabh Pant, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma, it wasn’t enough for India to recover from a disastrous first-innings collapse. As a result, defending a target of 107 runs proved to be too tough for the bowlers.

During the post-match press conference, Tom Latham said that losing the toss turned out to be fortunate for his side. Interestingly, several noteworthy records were witnessed during the highly intense battle between India and New Zealand first out of the third test match.

Let’s find out the main reasons that resulted in New Zealand concluding their 36-year drought period of winning the test match in India.

Major Contributing Factors that helped New Zealand win their First Test match in India Since 1988

Although the game was abandoned on Day 1 due to severe rains, New Zealand managed to achieve a commanding victory in India after 36 years due to these game-changing elements:

1. Losing Toss after Severe Rains on Day 1:

After the match, New Zealand captain Tom Latham admitted that he initially decided to bat first and felt that losing the toss worked in his team’s favor. The heavy rains in Bengaluru on Day 1, changed the course of the pitch on the next day which assisted New Zealand bowlers in generating a huge swing and pace similar to their homeground conditions.

Especially, the stellar performances of the fast bowlers Matt Henry (5-15 in 13.2 overs), William O’Rourke (4-22 in 12 overs), and Tim Southee (1-8 in 6 overs) bundled out India’s first innings total to just 46 in 31.2 overs, which is indeed their third lowest in test cricket so far (including home and overseas matches).

2. New Zealand’s 356-run lead in 2nd Innings:

Even after Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav’s 3-fer in 2nd innings, the Indian bowlers were left clueless to tackle the assault of New Zealand batters propelling their side to a 356-run lead.

As an opener, Devon Conway’s 105-ball-91 run knock with 11 fours and 3 sixes helped provide a solid start to the visitors.

In addition, Rachin Ravindra’s second test century of 134 runs from 157 balls (including 13 fours and 4 sixes), supported by Tim Southee’s valuable contribution of 65 runs from 73 balls (including 5 fours and 4 sixes) batting in the lower order was instrumental in helping the Kiwis post a total of 402-10 in 91.3 overs.

3. India’s Collapse Against Second New Ball:

Before the new ball was introduced in the 3rd innings, Team India batters ripped apart the New Zealand bowlers.

At one stage, it seemed challenging for Tom Latham and his men to control the dynamic approach of these Indian batsmen:

• Rohit Sharma: 52 runs out of 63 balls – 8 fours and 1 six.
• Virat Kohli: 70 runs out of 102 balls – 8 fours and 1 six.
• Rishabh Pant: 99 runs out of 105 balls – 9 fours and 5 sixes.
• Sarfaraz Khan: 150 runs out of 195 balls –18 fours and 3 sixes. 

However, New Zealand bowlers made a comeback with the new ball after the 80th over. Consequently, India’s score was restricted to 462-10 in 99.3 overs from 400-3 in 80 overs, causing just 62 runs being scored in 19.3 overs for a loss of 7 wickets that ensured a lead of 106 runs.

4. Less Competitive Target of 107 Runs:

Chasing a low target of 107 runs on the final day, New Zealand batters found it challenging to defend Jasprit Bumrah’s fierce bowling attack of 2-29 in 8 overs.

However, the chase seemed to be easier with Will Young’s unbeaten 48 runs from 76 balls (including 6 fours and 1 six) and Rachin Ravindra remaining not out with a 46-ball-39 run knock (including 6 fours). The duo batters added a 75-run partnership that helped the Blackcaps chase the target by scoring 110 runs in just 27.4 overs.

Notable Records from India vs New Zealand Bengaluru Test Match 2024

These are the important milestones accomplished by the top performers of India vs New Zealand’s first test match in Bengaluru:

1. Matt Henry becomes the second-fastest New Zealand bowler to claim his 100th test wicket in 26 matches. Currently, the former cricketer Richard Hadlee leads the list, achieving a stunning record in just 25 matches.
   
2. Virat Kohli ranks as the fourth Indian batsman to surpass 9k runs in test cricket (9,017 runs) after the legendary cricketers Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Sunil Gavaskar. Also, he becomes the second most capped player for India with 536 caps overtaking the position of the former Indian skipper MS Dhoni (535 caps).
   
3. Rachin Ravindra becomes the first New Zealand batter to score a test century in India since 2012 after Ross Taylor’s 127-ball-113 runs in the same stadium.
   
4. Sarfaraz Khan registered his name in the history of cricket by becoming the third Indian batter to score 150 runs or more batting at the No.4 position in a test match. Earlier, Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi scored a double century of 203 runs not out in 1964 against England. However, Sachin Tendulkar achieved this record twice in his career against Australia (155 runs) in 1998 and West Indies (176 runs) in 2002.