BENGALURU, India: New Zealand claimed a significant victory over India in the first Test match in Bengaluru, marking their first Test win in India in 36 years.
Chasing a modest target of 107 on a rain-affected fifth day, New Zealand overcame early setbacks, losing captain Tom Latham for a duck and Devon Conway for 17.
However, Will Young and Rachin Ravindra steered the team to victory with an unbroken 75-run partnership, securing an eight-wicket win and a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Rachin Ravindra, the Player of the Match, built on his first-innings century by contributing a composed 46 not out, while Young struck the winning boundary in his 35* as New Zealand reached 110-2. The victory was New Zealand’s third Test win in India, their previous wins dating back to 1969 and 1988.
New Zealand’s bowling, led by fast bowlers Matt Henry and Will O’Rourke, was instrumental in the win. The duo took 15 wickets across both innings, with India being bowled out for just 46 in their first innings—India’s lowest-ever home Test score. Although India mounted a strong fightback in their second innings with Sarfaraz Khan scoring 150 and Rishabh Pant contributing 99, they were dismissed for 462, leaving New Zealand a manageable target.
India’s fast bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj initially tested New Zealand on the final day, but their efforts were in vain as Young and Ravindra guided the visitors to a historic win. The second Test is set to begin on Thursday in Pune.
