In a surprising upset, New Zealand claimed its first Test victory in India in 36 years, defeating the hosts by eight wickets at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Sunday. India gave a small target of 107 runs, which the Kiwis chased down comfortably in just 28 overs. The match has seen the Indian team struggle, particularly after being bowled out for 46 runs in the first innings, marking their lowest home Test total ever. However, despite training by 1-0 against the Kiwis, India’s captain Rohit Sharma is certain about winning the three-match Test series against New Zealand.
Rohit Sharma’s reflections on the match
After the match, Indian captain Rohit Sharma spoke about his team’s performance in the post-match presentation. He acknowledged the team’s batting failure in the first inning. “We didn’t bat well in the first innings. So, we knew what was ahead and a couple of guys stood out,” he said. Rohit showed pride in his team’s comeback in the second inning, “It was a good effort with the bat in the second inning. A couple of partnerships were really exciting to watch” He added.
Learning from setbacks
Rohit also addressed the challenges faced during the match, explaining, “Games like these happen. We lost a game against England and won four games after that.”. The captain acknowledged New Zealand’s skilled bowling, “New Zealand bowled well and we failed to respond to that.” he added.
Praise for Sarfaraz and Pant
Despite the humiliating first innings, where as many as five players registered ducks, the team showcased a great character in their second attempt. Rohit said, “To come back from 46 all out to score 462 in their second essay showed this team’s immense character and tenacity.” He praised performances from Sarfaraz Khan, who scored 150, and Rishabh Pant, who narrowly missed his century with 99 runs. Rohit added, “The fact that they were even able to get themselves into a position where they could think about winning was an achievement in itself. Everyone is on the edge of their seat when those two (Sarfaraz and Pant) bat.”
Rohit reflected on the team’s determination: “When it was then time to defend 107, India bowled with a lot of heart and had the opposition on the tenterhooks. Unfortunately though, that 46 came back to haunt them and proved to be too much of a burden to carry throughout the game,” he concluded.
A historic win for New Zealand
This win was not just a milestone for New Zealand, it was a historic achievement, celebrating their first Test victory on Indian soil since 1988. The match showcased their grit and determination, especially after taking a commanding lead with a total of 402 runs in response to India’s first innings. Rachin Ravindra’s impressive 134 runs played a pivotal role in establishing New Zealand’s dominance.
As both teams fought hard in the contest, India will take valuable lessons from their defeat, while New Zealand will celebrate a well-deserved victory that has added to their cricketing legacy.
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