Tom Latham followed in the footsteps of Graham Dowling and John Wright, the two successful New Zealand Skippers to win a Test Match on Indian Soil. What is unique about Latham’s team victory is they have made a winning start in the series in the nearly seven decades test battle between the two teams. Dowling and Wright won the tests after losing the opening test of the series.
With Tim Southee giving up test captaincy after a whitewash (2-0) on Emerald Islands tour Tom Latham was forced to take over the reins of teams as Ken Williamson is still indisposed. He is likely to join the Kiwi squad just before the Pune test match to be played from October 24. This young and talented bunch of Kiwis performed exceptionally well and jolted Rohit Sharma’s team by bundling them out for paltry 46 runs on day one in the pre-lunch session in mere 31.2 overs.
It is the new low for Indian cricket team on home turf. (Lowest total in Asia). What a fall for Australia bound Indian team! It was the folly of skipper Rohit Sharma who after winning the toss decided to bat first and within no time the Big Brothers collapsed like house of cards. Five out of top seven batters failed to open their accounts.
Opener Yashsvi Jaiswal and wicket keeper batsman Rishabh Pant, both southpaws, entered the double figures (13 and 20 respectively). Others just caved in front of accurate seam, swing bowling of Matt Henry and UK born tall gangling speedster William O’Rourke. They exploited conditions and variance in weather conditions at Bengaluru (more like Birmingham ) after veteran Tim Southee castled Indian opener Rohit Sharma. It was beauty of a delivery with Rohit beaten all ends up.
Then it was a mere roll call for over rated Indian batting line up. Matt Henry who completed the century of wickets in tests was delighted at the atmosphere on Day 2 of the series opener after entire first day’s play was washed out.
Kiwi pacers never expected these conditions in India. They got assistance from weather conditions. Henry’s figures of 13.2-3-15-5 may look flattering on paper but Indian stalwarts had to face the music and Kiwis being talented bunch of fielders Indians had their cup full of woes.
Nothing went right for Rohit’s team after a false start or meek surrender and Kiwi batters Devon Conway (91) the Indian origin Wellington born tall curly topper Rachin Ravindra smashing red cherry to all corners of Chinnaswamy Stadium. The cricket crazy crowd was silently applauding the Kannada boy’s shots in silence. Rachin scored a century at home away. His father being a Banglorian went to Maori land but the generation next lad making hay at KSCA Chinnaswamy stadium his ‘Home Turf.
After conceding lead of 356 runs top five batters played well specially two young turks, Sarfaraz Khan and Southpaw Rishabh Pant. Sarfaraz scored his maiden test ton in his 6th test innings. He scored 150 runs with three sixers and 18 fours. Rishabh missed his ton by a solitary run. Second New ball brought swift end to India innings.
Kiwis requiring 107 runs for victory achieved the target with loss of two wickets Captain Latham failed to open his account as Bhumrah removed him quickly. Conway was consumed by Bhumrah but star player Rachin Ravindra reaped rich reward by remaining unbeaten to mark Kiwis’ victory by eight wickets and giving his team 1-0 lead in the test series for the first time ever.
Is this the trend of shape of things to come. Keeping my fingers crossed.
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