46 ALL OUT! INDIA’S WORST COLLAPSE COMES ALIVE AT HOME

NT Bengaluru: Facing a shocking collapse at home, Team India’s worst fears came alive on Thursday with Rohit Sharma's aggressive eleven bundled out for a mere 46 runs, setting the lowest score in an innings at home. Cricket lovers would have been dismissive if someone had told them a day before that something like this would happen in Bengaluru. But the dreaded collapse was waiting to happen on a moist pitch at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium amid overcast conditions. After the first day was washed out, expectations were high for an energetic day of play on Thursday, especially considering India’s recent approach against Bangladesh in a rain-marred match, where they opted for a T20-style of batting to up the ante and make a strong statement. However, it was the Black Caps' bowlers who took charge, capitalising on their home-like conditions in Bengaluru.

Certainly, the skipper and head coach Gautam Gambhir misjudged the pitch by opting to bat first after winning the toss. As the hours passed, the sun emerged, and the pitch began to favour the batters. It's ironic how everything a bowling team dreads can happen so easily. Despite the tough conditions, Rohit's men should see this as a blessing in disguise. If they reach the World Test Championship final in England, they’re likely to face similar challenges. For the first time in Rohit's Test captaincy, he faced a real challenge after inexplicably choosing to bat first in conditions that felt more like Christchurch than any pitch in the subcontinent. India failed to seize crucial half chances; the skipper dropped a catch and misjudged his position in the slip cordon. Was he feeling the pressure? The collapse was a mix of harsh conditions, exceptional bowling from the New Zealanders, and poor shot selection from the top order.

While a counterattack can look brilliant when successful, it appears reckless when it falls flat. On the contrary, Devon Conway slammed a gritty 91, propelling New Zealand to 180 for three at stumps on day two of the first Test. With Daryl Mitchell (14) and Rachin Ravindra (22) at the crease, the Kiwis forged a commanding 134-run lead. Now, let’s dive into the details of India’s collapse, where the devil truly lies. With the ball swinging dramatically, Matt Henry’s 5 for 15 and William O’Rourke’s 4 for 22 gave New Zealand the upper hand, completely dismantling India. Tim Southee's wobbling seam and fuller lengths struck first, dismissing Rohit Sharma and setting the tone. At that moment, the thought of a repeat of the infamous 36 all out at Adelaide seemed unbelievable. Yet, history had other plans, as India crumbled shortly after lunch, eclipsing their previous low of 75 against the West Indies in 1987. Yashasvi Jaiswal, standing well outside the crease to combat the swing, was left floundering against Henry. Virat Kohli (0), batting in an unfamiliar No. 3 spot, lasted just nine balls before being dismissed. New Zealand's skipper Latham brought in O'Rourke, who quickly claimed the big fish. Kohli attempted to jab a rising delivery but misplayed it, deflecting off his gloves to Glenn Phillips at leg gully. Sarfaraz Khan, replacing the injured Shubman Gill, was eager to make an impact.

On just his third ball, he aimed to smack Henry over mid-off, but Conway made a spectacular leap to snatch the catch. At 10 for three, hopes rested on Rishabh Pant (20) to rescue India from disaster. Pant, dropped on 7 by stumper Tom Blundell off O'Rourke, finally struck India’s first boundary with a powerful shot through the covers. However, Jaiswal’s cautious approach backfired (13 off 63 balls) as he fell to O'Rourke, with Ajaz Patel executing a stunning catch at point. The dismissals of KL Rahul and Jadeja pushed India deeper into trouble at 34 for six by lunch, and the innings crumbled just minutes into the second session.

Brief scores: India 46 (Matt Henry 5-15, William ORourke 4-22) trail New Zealand 82/1 (Devon Conway 91; Ravindra Jadeja 1-28) by 134 runs.