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INDvNZ, 1st Test: A defeat, but an all-time classic after 46 all-out!

By Mumbai Indians

Who would have thought this clash would reach Day 5 after an uncharacteristic collapse by Team India in the first innings? But their never-back-off attitude kept them in the mix of things!

Throughout the match, the pendulum kept swinging either way before it finally settled in New Zealand’s favour, bringing a fitting closure to a fantastic game of Test cricket.

Let’s rewind to the gripping moments of an unforgettable contest...

A rare catastrophe

With Day 1 washed out completely due to rain, fans tuned in to Day 2 in anticipation of what’s in store for them.

However, their excitement soon took the backseat as no one could believe what just unfolded in front of their eyes.

Opting to bat first, the Indian cricket team were bundled out for just 46 on the board. With as many as five ducks, it was the lowest total in the Indian subcontinent in Test cricket history.

Kiwis seize control after India’s slip-up

New Zealand’s ideal start, led by fiery pacers, gave their batters a chance to secure a sizable first-innings lead. Tom Latham and Devon Conway came out with a positive intent, building a 67-run opening partnership.

Even though all-rounder Rachin Ravindra registered a century, the Rohit Sharma-led side did get breakthroughs at regular intervals. At 233/7, thanks to Jadeja’s 3-fer, Team India looked to keep the lead under 200.

Nonetheless, their former skipper Tim Southee, alongside Rachin Ravindra, made the Indian bowlers toil, stitching a 137-run partnership for the eighth wicket. Eventually, the visitors were bowled out for 402, with a massive 356-run lead in hand.

Comeback dekhna hai? Aa jaao boss, dikha denge!

Trailing by 356 runs? Not something that would deter Team India!

The RO-Jaiswal pair came out with a counter-attacking approach to negate the first innings blues. Aamcha Mumbaicha Raja Rohit Sharma chipped in with a steady 52, graced with eight fours and one maximum.

Thereafter, in came Virat Kohli and Sarfaraz Khan to keep the scoreboard racing. The duo played out the post-tea session on Day 3, recording important fifties to put the pressure back on the opposition, concluding the day at 231/3.

In the process, Kohli also surpassed the 9000-run mark in Test cricket, becoming only the fourth Indian to achieve the milestone.

Fir apne mohalle mein… SARFARAZ AUR PANT AAYE!

Bring on Day 4, a perfect setting for a perfect Test match!

Pant joined Sarfaraz in the middle following Virat’s unfortunate dismissal on the last ball of the previous day and wasted no time in taking on the Kiwi bowlers.

Sarfaraz, batting at 70 overnight, smashed a flurry of boundaries to notch his maiden international ton, much to the delight of the 26-year-old! He went on to score a crucial 150 before getting dismissed, playing a pivotal role in bringing India out of danger.

At the other end, Pant didn’t put his foot off the accelerator and went about his business en route to a cracking 99-run knock, playing all his out-of-the-syllabus shots, including a humongous 107m six in his 90s.

The 177-run stand also helped the team erase the deficit and take the lead. For all GTA fans in the house, an ideal example of… Mission passed! Respect +, isn’t it!?

Shortly after the Tea break, the Indian innings culminated at 462. A total of 106 runs to defend meant the bowlers had a task at hand to pull off a famous victory.

Alas, it wasn’t meant to be!

Although Bumrah’s twin scalps on Day 5 gave the current WTC table-toppers a glimmer of hope, it was always going to be a tough ask to keep the opposition at bay.

Rachin Ravindra and Will Young took control to wrap the proceedings before lunch as New Zealand won a Test match in India after 36 years to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Brief scores: India 46/10 (Rishabh Pant 20, Yashasvi Jaiswal 13; Matt Henry 5/15) and 462/10 (Sarfaraz Khan 150, Rishabh Pant 99; William O’Rourke 3/92) lost to New Zealand 402/10 (Rachin Ravindra 134; Ravindra Jadeja 3/72, Kuldeep Yadav 3/99) and 110/2 (Will Young 48*; Jasprit Bumrah 2/29) by eight wickets.