In a shocking display of batting, the Indian men’s cricket team was bowled out for just 46 runs in their first innings against New Zealand in the ongoing Test at M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Thursday, October 17. Rohit Sharma’s decision to bat first after winning the toss quickly turned into a disaster. The hosts crumbled under pressure, losing six wickets for a mere 34 runs in the first session, while the remaining four batters could only muster an additional 12 runs to the total.
This dismal score of 46 marks India’s lowest innings total in Tests played on home soil and stands as the third lowest total in their Test history. The previous record for the lowest total in Tests was set at 36 runs during the Day-Night Test against Australia in Adelaide in December 2020.
India’s Lowest Test Totals:
- 36 vs Australia in Adelaide (2020)
- 42 vs England at Lord’s (1974)
- 46 vs New Zealand in Bengaluru (2024)
- 58 vs Australia in Brisbane (1947)
- 58 vs England in Manchester (1952)
India’s Lowest Test Totals on Home Soil:
- 46 vs New Zealand in Bengaluru (2024)
- 75 vs West Indies in Delhi (1987)
- 76 vs South Africa in Ahmedabad (2008)
- 83 vs England in Chennai (1977)
- 83 vs New Zealand in Mohali (1999)
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New Zealand’s bowlers were relentless, with Matt Henry claiming five wickets and William O’Rourke impressing with figures of 4 for 22 in 12 overs. Tim Southee also contributed to the dismantling of the Indian batting line-up by claiming one wicket.
Best Figures for New Zealand Pacers in India:
- – 7/64 – Tim Southee, Bengaluru, 2012
- – 6/27 – Dion Nash, Mohali, 1999
- – 6/49 – Richard Hadlee, Wankhede, 1988
- – 5/15 – Matt Henry, Bengaluru, 2024
Rishabh Pant was the top scorer for India, managing to score 20 runs off 49 balls, while Yashasvi Jaiswal added 13 runs. The batting lineup suffered a significant collapse, with five Indian players—Virat Kohli, Sarfaraz Khan, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, and Ravichandran Ashwin—falling without scoring.
Most Ducks in a Test Innings for India:
- 6 vs England, Manchester, 2014 (1st innings)
- 6 vs South Africa, Cape Town, 2024 (2nd innings)
- 5 vs Australia, Adelaide, 1948 (3rd innings)
- 5 vs England, Leeds, 1952 (3rd innings)
- 5 vs New Zealand, Mohali, 1999 (1st innings)
- 5 vs New Zealand, Bengaluru, 2024 (1st innings)
Rohit Sharma was the first to go, clean-bowled by Southee for just 2 runs from 16 balls. Kohli, despite facing nine deliveries, also failed to get off the mark, while Sarfaraz Khan made a duck after facing three balls. Jaiswal and Pant added a brief partnership of 21 runs for the fourth wicket before Jaiswal was caught by Ajaz Patel off O’Rourke’s bowling. The wickets continued to tumble, and by the end of the innings, Kuldeep Yadav was the last man out, scoring 2 runs from 17 balls.
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The Indian team’s abysmal performance elicited widespread frustration from fans, who took to social media to express their disbelief at the team’s failure to perform at home, reflecting a deep sense of disappointment and concern for the future.
Look on the bright side Indian fans .. at least you have got past 36 .. 😜😜
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) October 17, 2024
Where are those critics now—those who just days ago disparaged the Indian Women’s Cricket Team for their loss, mocking the equal pay they rightfully receive from @BCCI? fairness is not a privilege; it’s a right. As #Bharatiya, we must strive for more sense . #TestCricket pic.twitter.com/zyUTAbh01D
— Vivek Sharma (@its_VivekSharma) October 17, 2024
You only miss the sun when it’s starts to snow #ViratKohli #TestCricket #INDvsNZ pic.twitter.com/qA47r27nnC
— Meme stat (@Memeworld45) October 17, 2024
Me to whom made pitch at Bangalore.#INDvNZ #TestCricket #Pitch #Rain #RohitSharma #ViratKohli #Selfless#RohitSharma𓃵 #ViratKohli𓃵 #duck pic.twitter.com/IUlYeNSCL4
— Ashutosh Srivastava 🇮🇳 (@sri_ashutosh08) October 17, 2024
IN 1st test Indian innings be like. 😂#ViratKohli #TestCricket#INDvsNZ pic.twitter.com/7D2R9VRoTy
— Pranjal Singh (@Pranjal81111995) October 17, 2024
It’s still Raining in Chinnaswamy, Bangalore, No not Water, But of Duck ‘s 🦆 #INDvNZ #TestCricket #RohitSharma #ViratKohli𓃵 pic.twitter.com/lUJZuQTS8u
— Drx Ankur Hindu (@ankurvermaup) October 17, 2024
Cripes!!! That was ugly!!! #INDvsNZ @ICC #TestCricket #cricket #TestCricket pic.twitter.com/z2FenqCzwE
— Satyaki Raghunath (@SatyakiRaghuna1) October 17, 2024