New Zealand cricket fans have reason to celebrate as the Black Caps claimed a historic victory over India in Bengaluru on Sunday. The eight-wicket win marked New Zealand’s first test triumph on Indian soil since 1988, ending a 36-year drought. It was a moment of immense pride for the Kiwis, who displayed grit and composure to chase down a tricky target in tough conditions.
A Historic Win in Hostile Conditions
New Zealand’s win came in the first test of a three-match series, part of the ongoing World Test Championship. The visitors had to overcome a second-innings target of 107 runs, set after India put up a valiant fightback. Though the hosts struggled in their first innings, being bowled out for just 46, their second-innings response of 462 gave them a fighting chance.
New Zealand’s calm and assured approach to chasing down the target was anchored by Will Young (48 not out) and Rachin Ravindra (39 not out). The pair held their nerve after the loss of two early wickets, navigating the Indian bowling attack to ensure a historic win.
Captain Tom Latham, who took over the reins after Tim Southee stepped down, lauded his team’s efforts:
“There have been a lot of teams that have come here over a long period of time. It was 36 years ago that we last won here, so it’s a really special feeling to be in this position.”
Pace Attack Shines in Rare Indian Conditions
New Zealand’s pace attack played a pivotal role in the win, with Matt Henry and Will O’Rourke taking 15 wickets between them across both innings. Their consistent line and length exploited the rare pace-friendly conditions in India, something that has troubled many touring teams in the past. India’s usually formidable batting lineup was undone by the lethal combination of swing and seam movement, particularly in the first innings.
India’s captain Rohit Sharma acknowledged the challenges posed by New Zealand’s bowlers but praised his team’s efforts to claw back in the second innings:
“It was brilliant, especially being behind in the game. It’s easy to let the game drift away, but that’s not what this team is about. This team wants to fight back, stay in the game as long as possible and not give in to the opposition.”
India’s second innings saw Sarfaraz Khan deliver a stunning 150, while Rishabh Pant fell agonizingly short of a century, scoring 99. Their contributions gave India a glimmer of hope after a disastrous first innings, but the margin of their first-innings deficit proved too much to overcome.
Bumrah’s Early Strikes and Ravindra’s Calm Under Pressure
With a target of just 107, India’s pace duo of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj made life difficult for New Zealand early on, removing Latham for a duck and Devon Conway for 17. Bumrah’s second-ball dismissal of Latham sent a jolt through the New Zealand camp, and Conway’s exit compounded their early troubles.
However, Rachin Ravindra, the centurion from the first innings, once again stepped up in a moment of crisis. The left-hander, whose roots trace back to Bengaluru, demonstrated maturity and composure as he built a steady partnership with Young to steer New Zealand out of trouble.
The pressure on the duo was immense, especially with the crowd firmly behind the Indian bowlers. Yet, Ravindra seemed to thrive in the challenging conditions, turning the momentum in New Zealand’s favor with his calm approach. Young eventually hit the winning runs, sealing a famous victory for the Black Caps.
A Win for the Ages
New Zealand’s victory is all the more remarkable considering the absence of their star batsman Kane Williamson, who was sidelined due to injury. The win marks only the third time a visiting team has defeated India at home since 2013, joining the ranks of Australia and England.
For India, the defeat is only their fifth home loss in 11 years, a rare occurrence for a team that has dominated on home soil. With two matches remaining in the series, India will look to regroup and avoid further setbacks in their quest for a place in the 2025 World Test Championship final.
As the two teams head to Pune for the second test, New Zealand will be buoyed by their historic win, while India will be keen to reassert their dominance and keep their hopes of a series victory alive.
