Bengaluru: New Zealand secured a comprehensive victory over India on the second day of the Test match, despite Kuldeep Yadav's impressive performance, which included scoring a wicket towards the conclusion of Thursday's session at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
By the conclusion of the second session, New Zealand had amassed a score of 82/1, with Devon Conway and Will Young both scoring unbeaten runs of 61 and 5, respectively.
Towards the latter part of the session, 'Chinaman' spinner Kuldeep Yadav achieved a significant breakthrough, providing much-needed relief to the hosts, who appeared poised to dominate the opening Test.
At the onset of the post-lunch period, Ravichandran Ashwin successfully bowled Glenn Phillips, resulting in Matt Henry's fourth dismissal of the day.
Henry and William ORourke then engaged in a spectacular display of batting prowess, confounding India's formidable batting lineup in Bengaluru. Their exceptional performance led to the dismissal of the host's tail-end, compelling India to settle for a total of 46, their lowest score in the format on domestic soil.
In response, New Zealand's Devon Conway initiated a strong start, transforming the pitch into a version that was more conducive to batting. He was instrumental in scoring runs and executing traditional strokes with remarkable precision. His adept play effectively neutralized the threat posed by Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj in the initial overs.
Seeking to introduce a change in strategy, skipper Rohit Sharma brought in spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Kuldeep Yadav to the field.
Kuldeep eventually achieved the breakthrough, but New Zealand maintained their lead after the second session.
Earlier in the day, Tim Southee established the rhythm of the match by dismissing Rohit with a well-executed inside edge, resulting in the dismissal of the top of the leg stump.
With the Indian captain, Rohit, returning to the dugout following a score of 2, Virat Kohli and Yashasvi Jaiswal endeavored to stabilize the innings under challenging conditions.
The intense deliveries from the New Zealand pacers continued to unsettle the Indian duo, culminating in a highly anticipated contest between the batsman and the ball.
The aspirations of New Zealand for a perfect start were gradually becoming a reality, casting a shadow over India, particularly after Kohli began to retreat without affecting the scorers.
O'Rourke captivated the audience at M Chinnaswamy Stadium by delivering an exceptional bounce, catching Kohli off guard.
The Indian stalwart attempted to defend the ball with his toes, only to concede it to Glenn Phillips, who swiftly moved from the leg gully to secure a remarkable catch. This was Kohli's first dismissal in 32 innings, with his previous one occurring against the same opposition in 2021 at Wankhede.
As Kohli found himself in the dressing room with Rohit for a nine-ball duck, India's challenges escalated to new heights in the subsequent over.
Sarfaraz Khan seized the opportunity he had been waiting for, striking the ball with the bottom edge of his bat. Devon Conway, positioned at extra cover, made a spectacular catch to complete a sensational play.
With Sarfaraz's return to the field with a three-ball duck, Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal managed to alleviate the team's concerns by building a 21-run partnership. The rain momentarily disrupted the game, providing India with an opportunity to regroup.
Tom Blundell made a straightforward catch, offering Pant and the Indian team a brief moment of relief.
As India scored a couple of boundaries and the batters gained confidence, Jaiswal attempted to hit the ball towards the back edge of the bat with considerable force, but failed to achieve the desired placement. Ajaz Patel made a remarkable dive and completed a stunning catch, marking Jaiswal's exit from the crease.
KL Rahul entered the field, greeted by Orourke with a powerful shot that sent the ball straight into the Indian's glove. Following Rahul's initial setback, Orourke regained his composure and returned to the crease in his next over, successfully scoring runs for his efforts.
As India sought to accumulate runs, Orourke strategically induced a mistake in Rahul, allowing the ball to be playfully directed towards Blundell's left. This move resulted in Rahul becoming the third Indian batter to record a duck, with Ravindra Jadeja joining him on the list.
A well-placed shot from the seasoned left-handed batsman was sufficient for Henry to guide him back to the dugout, ending his innings with a six-ball duck.
Jadeja's dismissal signified the conclusion of the first session, prompting the umpires to adjourn for lunch. At this point, India's score stood at 34/6.
Final Score: India 46 (Rishabh Pant 20; Matt Henry 5-15, William ORourke 4-22) vs New Zealand 82/1 (Devon Conway 61, Tom Latham 15; Kuldeep Yadav 1-15).
