New Zealand Destroys India’s Top Order: 4 Ducks in Shocking Bengaluru Collapse

Abeera Marium Siddiqui
October 17, 2024
2:44 pm
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In an extraordinary turn of events during the first Test in Bengaluru, New Zealand's pace attack completely dismantled India’s top order, leaving the hosts reeling at just 46 all out. Five Indian batsmen fell for ducks, marking a shocking day for Indian cricket. The New Zealand pace duo of William O'Rourke and Matt Henry wreaked havoc, with O'Rourke leading the charge. The performance left fans stunned and the Indian team questioning their approach.

India’s Top Order Crumbles

After Rohit Sharma won the toss and chose to bat, conditions seemed tricky from the start. The overcast skies and a damp Bengaluru pitch set the stage for seam movement, which New Zealand’s quicks capitalized on perfectly. It wasn’t long before India’s top order crumbled under pressure. Yashasvi Jaiswal, India's young opener, tried to hold his ground, but his stay at the crease was short-lived. He was one of the five Indian batsmen who scored a duck, along with Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Ravindra Jadeja. This marked one of the worst batting collapses India has experienced in Test cricket, particularly on home soil.

William O'Rourke Shines

New Zealand’s young fast bowler, William O'Rourke, was instrumental in India’s downfall. The 6’4” pacer, known for his ability to generate bounce, picked up three crucial wickets, including the prized scalp of Virat Kohli, who was dismissed for a duck. O'Rourke’s sharp bowling troubled the Indian batsmen from the start, and his ability to extract movement from the surface made him a nightmare to face. Kohli, attempting to fend off a short ball, could only manage to edge it to leg gully, where Glenn Phillips took a brilliant low catch. With this performance, O'Rourke once again showcased why he is considered one of New Zealand’s most promising fast bowlers.

India vs New Zealand has always been a thrilling contest, but this match saw New Zealand’s pace attack outclassing India in every way. With India struggling at 34-6 by lunch, O'Rourke had already done significant damage. His spell, combined with Matt Henry's lethal bowling, created a nightmare for India’s batsmen.

Matt Henry’s Deadly Support

While William O'Rourke was the star, Matt Henry provided excellent support. Henry, with his precise line and length, took four wickets for just 13 runs. India’s star-studded lineup had no answers to the relentless pace and swing from New Zealand's bowlers. Henry’s early breakthrough came when he bowled Rohit Sharma, who misjudged a delivery that swung back in sharply. India’s captain walked back dejected, leaving his team in a dire situation.

The duo of O'Rourke and Henry made life difficult for India, reducing the home side to a historically low total. In the process, New Zealand’s bowlers managed to dismiss five Indian batsmen without a run to their names— a statistic that will haunt Indian fans for years to come.

Rishabh Pant’s Lone Resistance

Among the ruins, Rishabh Pant provided the only glimpse of hope for India. The wicketkeeper-batsman fought valiantly, scoring 20 runs and holding the fort while wickets tumbled at the other end. His aggressive approach did momentarily lift India's spirits, but it wasn’t enough to build a substantial score. Pant survived an early scare when Tom Blundell dropped a catch off William O'Rourke's bowling, but he couldn’t capitalize much further. Eventually, Pant was dismissed by Matt Henry, bringing an end to India’s innings.

With India vs New Zealand being a crucial series for the World Test Championship, this collapse has massive implications. India's inability to handle New Zealand’s pace attack in Bengaluru puts them in a vulnerable position. If they want to bounce back, they’ll need to address the issues in their batting lineup quickly.

A Historic Low for India

India’s 46 all out is their second-lowest Test total on home soil, a record they would rather forget. The last time India was bowled out for such a low score at home was back in 1987 when they managed just 75 against the West Indies. With William O'Rourke and Matt Henry leading the charge, New Zealand managed to write their own piece of history by reducing India to one of their most humiliating totals in Test cricket.

This match has already grabbed headlines for all the wrong reasons from an Indian perspective. Five ducks, 46 all out, and a dominant New Zealand pace attack are the talking points. The Indian team will need to regroup and rethink their strategy going into the second innings if they are to salvage anything from this match.

What’s Next for India?

With New Zealand in a strong position after dismantling India’s batting, all eyes are now on how India will respond. The Bengaluru pitch has shown its tricks, and New Zealand’s bowlers have fully exploited the conditions. For India, this could be a chance for redemption or further embarrassment.

In conclusion, India vs New Zealand has always delivered some memorable moments, but this collapse in Bengaluru will be remembered as one of the most shocking days in Indian Test cricket. With William O'Rourke and Matt Henry leading the way, New Zealand has demonstrated why they are one of the most formidable bowling units in world cricket.

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