India bowled out for a record home Test low of 46 against New Zealand

New Zealand fast bowlers Matt Henry and William O'Rourke collaborated to dismiss India for their lowest-ever home total of 46 on the second day of the rain-affected first Test in Bengaluru on Thursday.

India, having chosen to bat in overcast conditions, was bowled out in 31.2 overs during the second session. The opening day of the Test was completely washed out.

This score marks India's third-lowest total in Test history.

Previously, India's lowest home score was 75 against the West Indies in New Delhi in 1987, while their overall lowest score stands at 36, achieved against Australia in a pink-ball Test in Adelaide in 2020.

Rishabh Pant was the top scorer for India with 20 runs, in an innings that saw five players dismissed for zero, including prominent batsman Virat Kohli.

Henry concluded the Indian innings with a five-wicket haul, and his final wicket of Kuldeep Yadav marked his 100th Test wicket.

Tim Southee delivered the first breakthrough in the seventh over, bowling India captain Rohit Sharma with a sharp inswinger for just two runs.

O'Rourke made an impact in his first over, dismissing Kohli, who was caught at leg gully without scoring, leaving the home crowd in shock.

Sarfaraz Khan, who replaced Shubman Gill due to neck stiffness, came in at number four but lasted only three balls before being caught by Devon Conway at wide mid-off, leaving India struggling at 10-3 within the first ten overs.

A brief rain delay occurred, but upon resuming, India faced no relief as O'Rourke dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal, caught by Ajaz Patel for 13, with the score at 31.

KL Rahul also fell for a duck, caught behind by Tom Blundell, as India plummeted to 33-5 and then 34-6 at lunch.

Wickets continued to fall rapidly, and shortly after the lunch break, O'Rourke and Henry dismissed the remaining four batsmen, aided by some exceptional catching.

SportsLigue