India’s Collapse Signals Overrated Standard Of Batting, ft. lowest total

India vs New Zealand 1st Test has been running, at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium Bengaluru. After a washout on Day 1 without the toss, Day 2 began early with Rohit Sharma winning the toss and electing to bat first on overcast conditions. The Kiwi pacers took full advantage of the seaming and overcast conditions. Tom Latham used his pacers Tim Southee, Will O Rourke, and Matt Henry well. 

Despite the home advantage, all the batters struggled to get runs against a quality bowling attack of the Kiwis. The Men in Blue are just three wins away from the spot in the final of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) for the third consecutive year. However, looking at the batting performance in Bengaluru in rainy conditions. It would be better for them not to qualify in the final of the major tournament. 

They have been bowled out for just 46 runs. Five batters went back to the pavilion without scoring. This is the first time in the longest format of the game that the Men in Blue have been bundled out under 50 runs. In testing conditions, the batters failed to perform. This reality check before the Border-Gavaskar Trophy was much needed as the home side has not lost a series since 2012. 

India’s top 5 lowest scores in test cricket

Is this India’s lowest total in the longest format of the game? In India, this is the lowest-ever total for India in red ball cricket. Previously the side was bowled out for 76 runs back in 1987 against West Indies at home. India lost 9 wickets for just 40 runs. It seemed that the team would have the third-lowest score today in the overall test format for the nation. 

Rohit Sharma needs to answer on why he chose to bat first despite the overcast conditions. Batting has now become easier on the pitch with the Kiwi openers Tom Latham and Devon Conway scoring easily on the pitch which looked different when India was batting in the first innings. The Black Caps are 30 for no loss and looking set on the pitch. 

Here’s the list of the lowest scores