Five Indian Batters Register Ducks in First Test vs New Zealand
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Indian cricket team endured a forgettable day with the bat as they collapsed for 46 runs in the first Test against New Zealand at Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium. This score marks India’s lowest-ever Test total at home and the third-lowest in their Test history. Electing to bat first turned out to be a decision Rohit Sharma might deeply regret, as the conditions heavily favored the bowlers with swing, seam, and bounce—more akin to English pitches than Indian ones.
Batters Crumble Under Pressure
The Indian batting lineup crumbled, failing to withstand the challenging surface. While the pitch was tough, the collapse to 46 runs raised questions about the batters’ application. Five Indian batters—Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Ravindra Jadeja, and R Ashwin—were dismissed for ducks, marking a rare and humiliating record for India. Together, these five players managed to face just 25 balls without adding a single run.
It was only the second time in Test cricket history that five out of India’s top eight batters failed to score. This performance puts the team in a list they would have preferred to avoid:
Most Ducks in a Test Innings for India
| Ducks | Runs | Opposition | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 152 | England | Manchester | 7 Aug 2014 |
| 6 | 153 | South Africa | Cape Town | 3 Jan 2024 |
| 5 | 46 | New Zealand | Bengaluru | 17 Oct 2024 |
| 5 | 277 | Australia | Adelaide | 23 Jan 1948 |
| 5 | 165 | England | Leeds | 5 June 1952 |
| 5 | 83 | New Zealand | Mohali | 10 Oct (Year Unknown) |
Bowlers Take Charge
New Zealand’s bowlers capitalized on the favorable conditions, dismantling India’s batting lineup with precision. Matt Henry and William Rourke led the attack with four wickets each, while Tim Southee added another to complete the rout. The visitors made life difficult for the Indian batters with sharp movement both off the pitch and through the air.
Rishabh Pant was the only batter to offer some resistance, scoring 20 runs off 49 balls, including two boundaries. However, the rest of the lineup fell apart quickly, leaving India with an embarrassing record and a mountain to climb for the rest of the Test match.
This disastrous start not only puts India on the back foot in the series but also leaves them with a bitter memory that will take some effort to erase.
Read Original Content: Five Indian Batters Register Ducks in First Test vs New Zealand
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