India-New Zealand test series: No final day twist

New Zealand survived a hostile Jasprit Bumrah spell to foil India’s attempt to add a final-day twist to an absorbing series-opener, slaying the cricketing giants at home by eight wickets and ending a 36-year long wait to taste Test success in the country, here Sunday This is Kiwis’ first Test win on the Indian soil after the John Wright-led outfit towelled India by 136 runs at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, way back in 1988.

Even hunting a modest 107 on the fifth day against a world-class attack could be nervy, and New Zealand did that after some initial scares.

Will Young (48 not out) and Rachin Ravindra (39 not out) fuelled their chase with a 75-run stand for the third wicket, handholding their side a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

The partnership between Rachin and Tim put up ahead when the game was in the balance. We know the capability Tim had with the bat. It was nice to only chase a 100. Rachin is a young guy who played Test cricket a few years ago. The way he has played in the last 12 months and sort of slotted into a new role he’s not used to.. he showed his class in the first innings. Tom Latham, New Zealand skipper

However, the Indians will not be an entirely despondent lot despite the defeat as they showed admirable spunk to claw back from the depths of getting bowled out for 46 in the first innings.

They will need to build on it and pretty quickly too as the second Test at Pune starts on October 24. The Rohit Sharma-marshalled side will also have to think deeply about retaining Sarfaraz Khan, who made a 150 in the second dig, as Shubman Gill is poised to return after recovering from a stiff neck.

The other point they will moot long is whether to go back to the three-pacer strategy or continue three spinners, a move which backfired here spectacularly, in Pune.

New Zealand victory did not come without its share of drama once the day’s play started at 10.15am, a wet outfield pushing back the proceedings by an hour.

Bumrah (2/29), operating from the dressing room end, found appreciable movement and Tom Latham fell in the first over of the day itself for his overnight naught.

The defining moment came when Will Young turned Jadeja for two to collect the winning runs as Kiwis dressing room turned into a hub of celebration.

Scoreboard

India 1st Innings 46

New Zealand 1st Innings 402

India 2nd innings 462

New Zealand 2nd innings

Tom Latham lbw Bumrah 0

Devon Conway lbw Bumrah 17

Will Young not out 48

Rachin Ravindra not out 39

Extras: (B-4, LB-1, NB-1) 6

Total: (2 wickets, 27.4 overs) 110

FOW: 1-0, 2-35

Bowling O M R W

Jasprit Bumrah 8 1 29 2

Mohammed Siraj 7 3 16 0

Ravindra Jadeja 7.4 1 28 0

Kuldeep Yadav 3 0 26 0

Ravichandran Ashwin 2 0 6 0

Washington added to squad for remaining Tests

All-rounder Washington Sundar was on Sunday added to the India squad for the remaining two Tests against New Zealand.

The 25-year-old’s inclusion in the squad comes after his 152 for Tamil Nadu in the ongoing Ranji Trophy match against Delhi.

Washington had played a crucial role in India’s historic win against Australia at the Gabba in January 2021. That game also marked his Test debut. — PTI

WTC: India remain on top despite defeat

India loosened their grip somewhat but continued to lead the World Test Championship (WTC) standings, despite suffering an eight-wicket defeat to New Zealand in the three-match series opener here on Sunday. India’s percentage dropped to 68.06 percent after the humbling experience in Bengaluru. Reigning champions Australia and Sri Lanka are currently India’s closest challengers on the standings.