New Delhi: When New Zealand arrived for their three-match Test series against India, few expected them to win even a single game. However, a combination of stellar performances with both bat and ball, along with their ability to capitalize on crucial moments, led them to secure their first Test win in India since 1988 with an eight-wicket triumph at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Chasing a target of 107 on a rain-delayed final day of the first Test, New Zealand had to battle for their runs. Jasprit Bumrah showcased his exceptional skill and precision with the new ball, claiming two early wickets and energizing the passionate home crowd with his performance.
However, Will Young, stepping in at number three for the injured Kane Williamson, anchored the innings with an unbeaten 48, while Rachin Ravindra’s fluent 39 not out provided solid support. With this win, New Zealand became just the third team in the past decade to defeat India on their home soil, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
For India, despite their resilience in the second innings, a series of crucial factors ultimately worked against them. The decisions regarding the toss and team selection, combined with their collapse to 46 all out in the first innings, overshadowed their fightback before they lost seven wickets to the second new ball on Day 4. These missteps proved costly in the end.
On the second ball of Day 5, India secured an early breakthrough while defending 107, as Jasprit Bumrah trapped Tom Latham lbw with a delivery that jagged back in. Bumrah’s impressive movement with the ball made life difficult for Devon Conway, who looked unsettled at the crease, repeatedly beaten on both edges by Bumrah’s precision.
Will Young broke the boundary drought for New Zealand in the eighth over by glancing Mohammed Siraj for four. Devon Conway followed up with two boundaries off Jasprit Bumrah, showing some agility at the crease. Young kept up the pressure, striking two more fours off Siraj, while Conway pierced the field with another four off Bumrah, keeping the scoreboard ticking.
Jasprit Bumrah’s relentless efforts paid off when he got one to swing in sharply, beating Devon Conway’s outside edge and trapping him lbw for 17. Rachin Ravindra, however, quickly found his rhythm, steering Bumrah through the gully with a controlled shot and following it up with a wristy flick for another boundary.
New Zealand edged closer to victory as Will Young struck two boundaries off Ravindra Jadeja—one from a top-edge over the keeper and another with a precise cut through point. Rachin Ravindra joined in, cutting Jadeja for a four, before Young advanced down the track to Kuldeep Yadav, flicking him over mid-wicket for a six.
Ravindra continued to time his shots to perfection when he slammed a cracking drive and slog over mid-wicket off Kuldeep for two fours, before sweeping him through the gap at square leg for another boundary. Young brought up New Zealand’s hundred with a reverse-sweep off Ravichandran Ashwin for four, before he hit the winning runs through a cut off Jadeja beating short third man for four to get a memorable Test win for New Zealand.
