India vs New Zealand Test 2024: India All Out at 46 – A Shocking Turn of Events

The India vs New Zealand Test 2024 was one of the most surprising and unexpected contests in recent cricket history. Fans and cricket enthusiasts around the world were left stunned as India, one of the most formidable cricketing nations, was bowled out for a shocking total of just 46 runs in the first innings. This match, held in Wellington, has raised a lot of questions about India’s batting performance, and it showcased the dominance of New Zealand’s bowling attack.

This blog dives into the crucial moments, turning points, and key performances from the match while analyzing the significance of this game for both teams. Let’s break down what happened in this low-scoring thriller.

Pre-Match Expectations: A Clash of Titans

The India vs New Zealand Test series is always highly anticipated. Both teams have a rich history of intense and competitive matches, especially in the Test format. Coming into the 2024 series, both India and New Zealand were in solid form. India had just won a series against a strong Australian team, and their batsmen, particularly Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, and Rohit Sharma, were expected to shine.

New Zealand, on the other hand, has always been known for their exceptional home performances. With players like Trent Boult, Tim Southee, and Kane Williamson in their lineup, they were expected to provide a tough challenge for India. However, nobody could have predicted the outcome of the first innings.

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The Collapse: India All Out at 46

Day 1 of the India vs New Zealand Test 2024 saw India win the toss and elect to bat first. Given the conditions in Wellington, it was expected that the pitch would offer some assistance to fast bowlers early on, but India’s decision to bat first showed their confidence in their batting lineup.

But from the very first ball, things started to unravel for India. New Zealand’s pace attack, led by Trent Boult and Tim Southee, was on fire. Boult took early wickets, dismissing both Indian openers, and from there, the collapse began. India’s star-studded batting lineup couldn’t handle the swing and bounce on offer, and wickets kept falling at regular intervals.

Here’s a breakdown of India’s first innings:

• Shubman Gill: 5 (Bowled by Boult)
• Rohit Sharma: 10 (Caught behind off Southee)
• Virat Kohli: 0 (LBW to Southee)
• Ajinkya Rahane: 4 (Caught at slips)
• Rishabh Pant: 3 (Run-out)
• Ravindra Jadeja: 6 (Bowled by Boult)
• Shardul Thakur: 8 (Caught and bowled by Southee)

India managed to scrape together just 46 runs before being bowled out in just 19 overs. This was one of India’s lowest scores in Test cricket, and it sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. The Indian dressing room looked dejected, while the New Zealand players celebrated one of their most dominant bowling performances.

New Zealand’s First Innings: Steady and Commanding

After bowling out India for 46, New Zealand knew they were in a commanding position. Their batting approach was steady and calculated. Although they lost a couple of early wickets, Kane Williamson and Tom Latham stabilized the innings with a strong partnership.

Here’s a quick look at New Zealand’s batting performance:

• Tom Latham: 65 (Solid innings to anchor the team)
• Kane Williamson: 78 (A captain’s knock)
• Henry Nicholls: 34 (Quickfire contribution)
• BJ Watling: 25 (Kept the scoreboard ticking)

New Zealand declared their innings at 245/9, ensuring they had a lead of nearly 200 runs, putting India under immense pressure.

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India’s Second Innings: A Slight Comeback

India knew they had to fight back hard in the second innings if they wanted to avoid a humiliating defeat. The pitch had settled down a bit, and the Indian batsmen came out with a more cautious approach. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill managed to build a decent opening partnership, but once again, India’s middle order collapsed under pressure.

India managed to put up a better fight this time, scoring 167 runs, but it was still far from enough to challenge New Zealand’s total. With only a target of 46 to chase, New Zealand wrapped up the match quickly, scoring 30/2 and winning by 8 wickets.

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Match Highlights: Key Moments of India vs New Zealand Test 2024

If you missed the live action, here’s a quick recap of the key moments from the India vs New Zealand Test match 2024:

• India’s First Innings Collapse: India’s star-studded batting lineup fell apart, managing just 46 runs.
• New Zealand’s Bowling Dominance: Trent Boult and Tim Southee were the stars with the ball, taking 7 wickets between them.
• Kane Williamson’s Captain’s Knock: Williamson led from the front with a commanding 78, helping New Zealand to a strong total.
• India’s Fightback in Second Innings: Despite a better performance in the second innings, India couldn’t avoid defeat.

Scoreboard: India vs New Zealand Test 2024

What Went Wrong for India?

India’s batting failure in the first innings was the key factor in their defeat. They were unable to handle the swing and seam movement generated by the New Zealand pacers, and their batsmen made several technical errors. Here are some possible reasons for their poor performance:

• Lack of application: Indian batsmen seemed to struggle with patience, playing loose shots and failing to build partnerships.
• Swing and seam conditions: The pitch offered swing and seam movement, which New Zealand’s bowlers exploited brilliantly.
• Pressure of the situation: With early wickets falling, the rest of the lineup was under immense pressure to perform, which led to further collapses.

New Zealand’s Bowling Masterclass

New Zealand’s bowling attack was nothing short of exceptional. Trent Boult and Tim Southee, both experienced campaigners, led from the front with their pace and accuracy. Boult’s early breakthroughs set the tone for the innings, while Southee cleaned up the middle order with his consistent line and length.

Together, Boult and Southee took 7 wickets, leaving India in tatters. Their performance in this match highlights why they are considered two of the best fast bowlers in modern cricket.

Conclusion: India’s Lessons from This Match

The India vs New Zealand Test 2024 will go down as one of the most unexpected and humbling defeats for India. New Zealand’s disciplined bowling and steady batting allowed them to completely dominate India. For India, this match serves as a wake-up call, especially for their batting lineup, which will need to regroup and reassess their approach in tough overseas conditions.

While India did show some fight in the second innings, the damage was already done. Moving forward, India will need to work on their technique against the swinging ball, especially in away conditions.

Cricket, as always, remains unpredictable. This match will be remembered as a reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in the game. Fans will now look forward to how India responds in their next match, and whether they can bounce back from this defeat.

For all cricket lovers, the India vs New Zealand rivalry continues to provide thrilling encounters, and this Test match will be added to the list of unforgettable contests between these two cricketing giants.