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NEW DELHI: It was not just Rachin Ravindra, whose parents hail from Bengaluru, dented India by hitting a brilliant hundred in the first innings of the first Test at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, but the inclement weather of the city also proved to be instrumental in New Zealand‘s victory.
New Zealand coasted to their first Test win in India since 1988 (after 36 years) and just their third victory in 37 Test matches on India soil.
AS IT HAPPENED
The Kiwis also became the first visiting team since 2000 that successfully chased a 100+ target in the fourth innings in India.
It all started on Day 1 when all three sessions were washed out without a ball being bowled.
And on Day 2, India captain Rohit Sharma won the toss in overcast conditions and chose to bat.
The move clearly backfired as the hosts were bundled out for only 46, their third lowest total in Tests and lowest total in Tests at home on a pitch that had been under covers for a couple of days due to rain.
Making it a good toss to lose, overcast conditions in Bengaluru aided New Zealand seamers when they bowled first.
And when the Kiwis came out to bat, it became bright and sunny flattening the deck.
Rachin Ravindra cashed in on the opportunity and made a brilliant 134 as the Kiwis posted 402 in their first innings.
It was all catch up for India since then and despite Sarfaraz Khan‘s 150 and Rishabh Pant‘s 99, helped India overhaul the big deficit of 356, the second new ball did the trick for the Black Caps and India were bowled out for 462 in their second innings in the final session on Day 4.
Ravindra hit an unbeaten 39 in the second innings as the Kiwis chased down 107-run target before lunch on Day 5 as India crashed to a rare loss at home and New Zealand become only the third team after England and Australia to win a Test in India since 2013.
But inclement weather aside, this Test was a real treat and was laced with many exemplary and mesmerizing performances from both sides.