Netizens in shock as New Zealand packs India for their lowest-ever total at home on Day 2 of Bengaluru Test

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India faced a disastrous outing against New Zealand, getting bowled out for 46 on Day 2 of the first Test of a three-match series. The innings lasted only 31.2 overs on an overcast morning in Bengaluru, as India slumped to their third-lowest total in Test cricket history. It was also their lowest total at home. New Zealand’s pacers William O’Rourke and Matt Henry bowled exceptionally, while Tim Southee started the collapse by dismissing India’s captain Rohit Sharma in the opening hour.

India struggles under overcast conditions: 46 all-out

Opting to bat on a pitch that had been under covers for three days due to rain, India’s decision backfired as they were unable to cope with the swing-friendly conditions. With grey skies overhead, the Blackcaps seamers exploited the conditions to perfection, reducing India to a shambolic total. India’s batting lineup collapsed with as many as five ducks in the innings, including notable names like Virat Kohli, Sarfaraz Khan, Ravindra Jadeja, KL Rahul and Ravichandran Ashwin.

Rishabh Pant (20) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (13) were the only Indian batters to show some fight, reaching double digits in an otherwise forgettable morning. Pant’s aggression saw him hold out longer than most, but New Zealand’s bowling attack remained relentless throughout the innings.

Also READ: IND vs NZ: Twitter roasts KL Rahul for his 6-ball duck on Day 2 of the Bengaluru Test

Matt Henry and William O’Rourke star for New Zealand

Henry was the standout performer with the ball, picking up five wickets, including key scalps like Pant, Sarfaraz and Jadeja. Henry finished with impressive figures of 5/15.  Meanwhile, young pacer O’Rourke produced a fiery spell, taking 4/22 and rattling India’s top order. He dismissed Kohli with a sharp bouncer, caught at leg gully, and continued to trouble the Indian batters.

India’s top order was decimated in the first hour of play. Rohit (2) was cleaned up by Tim Southee, setting the tone for the rest of the innings. Kohli and Rahul both failed to open their accounts, adding to India’s misery. Sarfaraz, too, could not last beyond three balls, falling to Henry’s masterful swing bowling.

Here’s how netizens reacted: 

https://twitter.com/dagiroxforever7/status/1846822274982089164

Also READ: Fans troll Virat Kohli as the Indian batter goes for a 9-ball duck in Bengaluru Test against New Zealand

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