When New Zealand arrived in India for their three-match Test series, few believed they had a realistic chance of winning even one game. However, through a combination of exceptional performances with both bat and ball, along with their ability to capitalize on key moments, New Zealand pulled off their first Test victory in India since 1988. They achieved an eight-wicket win at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Chasing a modest target of 107, New Zealand faced a delayed start on the final day due to rain. The Indian bowlers, led by a masterful Jasprit Bumrah, made them work hard for every run, especially in front of a vocal home crowd.
Bumrah was brilliant with the new ball, quickly taking two early wickets, including dismissing Tom Latham for just 6 runs. However, Will Young, stepping in at number three for the injured Kane Williamson, anchored the innings with a composed 48* not out. He found a steady partner in Rachin Ravindra, who contributed a free-flowing 39* not out. Their partnership guided New Zealand to a historic victory, making them just the third team to beat India at home in the last decade, giving them a 1-0 lead in the series.
India, despite showing signs of a comeback in their second innings, ultimately fell short. Poor decisions regarding the toss, team selection, and their collapse to 46 all out in the first innings came back to haunt them. On the second ball of day five, Bumrah struck early, trapping Latham lbw with a ball that seamed back in. Bumrah’s exceptional control made Devon Conway uncomfortable at the crease, constantly beating the edges of his bat.
New Zealand’s first boundary finally came in the eighth over when Young glanced a Mohammed Siraj delivery for four. Conway followed with two boundaries off Bumrah, but Young kept up the pressure, hammering Siraj for two more fours. Bumrah eventually got his reward by swinging one in to trap Conway lbw for 17. Rachin Ravindra quickly settled into his innings, steering Bumrah through gully and flicking a wristy shot for another boundary.
As New Zealand edged closer to victory, Young struck two more boundaries off Ravindra Jadeja, including a top-edged shot over the keeper. Ravindra also played confidently, cutting Jadeja for four and driving Kuldeep Yadav for more boundaries. Young brought New Zealand’s score to 100 with a reverse sweep off Ravichandran Ashwin and sealed the victory with a cut shot off Jadeja, sending the ball past short third man for four, securing a memorable win for New Zealand.
