New Zealand registered an eight-wicket win over India in the opening Test in Bengaluru. After bowling India out for a mere 46 in the first innings, New Zealand managed to restrict India to register their first win in India since 1988.
“It was extremely difficult,” said Tom Latham, after the win. “There have been a lot of teams that have come here over a long period of time, I think 36 years is the last time that we’ve won here, so it’s obviously a really special feeling to be in this position. I think the work we did in the first and second innings with the ball and then obviously with the bat, really set the game up for us. It’s obviously a proud moment for this group and one we’ll celebrate.”
Tom Latham also praised the 137-run stand between Rachin Ravindra and Tim Southee for the eighth wicket that had helped New Zealand’s first innings as well. However, Ravindra earned the Man of the Match award for his 134 and 39* as well.
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“The game was in the balance a little bit when Tim and Rachin formed their partnership and I think they put on 137. In the context of the match, it was massive for us. I think if you said to us the day before during the press conference that we’d be chasing 100 on day five, I would have shaken your hand and said we’ll take that. As I said, I think the first two innings were outstanding,” said Latham.
“The way he played the situation of the game was really important for us. A 137 partnership with a number nine batter is awesome. I think the way he played leading up to that new ball was really important. Even this morning, the way he came out with the game in the balance where another couple of wickets there and it could have been a nervy 50-60 runs, but I think the way he calmed the dressing room with his composure out there for a young guy in his ninth or tenth Test to play in that fashion is obviously exciting. We’ve seen the talent that he’s got over the last 12 months and certainly happy he’s on our side. Very happy.”
New Zealand got the advantage after Rohit Sharma chose to bat in conditions that suited for pacers. And, New Zealand’s pacers found enough movement to bowl India out for their lowest-ever total of 46 at home as well.
“We were going to have a bat as well. I guess it’s just one of those times where you fall on the wrong or right side, whatever way you look at it. It’s always hard. I guess the time that the wicket was under the covers, they obviously didn’t have the preparation time that they probably would have liked and happy that it fell the right way for us. I think you try to look at what’s going to be harder,” he further explained. “Is it going to be harder on day one or is it going to be harder on day five? We expect the match to go the duration of the game and I think we even saw it this morning when Jadeja got that one out of the foot marks that hit Rachin in the head.”
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“Obviously, the pitch was deteriorating. The cracks were starting to open a little bit more and we certainly saw that from a seamer’s point of view when the ball did hit those cracks that went up and down a little bit. I guess that’s a fine balance when you come over and there’s not many times that you win the toss and bowl,” he again said.
“From our perspective, we knew India were going to come back. From the wicket point of view, it’s probably at its best over those couple of days to bat. So we certainly knew it was going to be a challenge against India, who obviously have a lot of firepower in that line-up. They certainly keep challenging us, they keep asking good questions and obviously to get a lead from the position that they were in was obviously a quality effort. But I think the work we did with the new ball yesterday evening was outstanding. I think Tim Southee, Matt Henry and Will O’ Rourke with that new ball, just asked lots of questions and managed to get the rewards. So yeah, I think at that point we certainly knew India were going to get themselves right back in the game and certainly just happy we weren’t chasing too many more than 100,” he further added.
