Lagatar24 Desk
Bengaluru: In a shocking display of poor batting, the Indian team found themselves under heavy criticism after losing five wickets for ducks, including four of their top seven batters, on Day 2 of the opening Test against New Zealand at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. India’s performance, historically their worst in a home Test, left fans stunned as the team was bowled out for just 46 runs.
Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, and Ravindra Jadeja all fell for ducks, unable to handle the aggressive pace attack led by New Zealand’s O’Rourke. Kohli’s dismissal, his first duck in 32 innings, came from a brilliant delivery that bounced sharply, with Glenn Phillips completing a diving catch at leg gully. KL Rahul also fell to O’Rourke, gloving the ball to Blundell after being rattled by a series of short deliveries.
New Zealand’s bowlers, particularly O’Rourke, capitalized on the overcast conditions and made life difficult for India’s batters. Sarfaraz Khan, playing his much-anticipated Test, was caught at extra cover by Devon Conway after mishitting the ball. Ravindra Jadeja followed suit, mistiming a shot that added another duck to India’s batting woes.
Criticism mounted after India’s inability to handle New Zealand’s pace attack, with their tactics being questioned by both fans and former players. The top-order collapse saw India crumble under pressure, unable to offer any resistance after captain Rohit Sharma’s early departure. Ravichandran Ashwin was also dismissed for a golden duck in the first ball of the second session.
The disastrous innings came to an end with India posting a paltry 46, setting the stage for what will be remembered as one of their worst batting performances at home.
