IND vs NZ Live: Catch All the Scores and Match Updates from Day 1 of the 1st Test Between India and New Zealand in Bengaluru
The highly anticipated first Test match between India and New Zealand kicked off at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Wednesday. Both teams arrived with a sense of determination, each looking to secure early momentum in the two-match Test series. With the Indian team carrying the weight of expectations on home soil and the New Zealand squad aiming to build on their recent successes, the clash promises to be an exciting contest.
Here’s a comprehensive rundown of the highlights, key moments, and scores from Day 1 of the 1st Test between India and New Zealand.
Toss and Team Selection: A Crucial Start
Winning the toss in a Test match can often set the tone for the rest of the game, and on this occasion, India won the toss and elected to bat first. The pitch at Bengaluru traditionally offers assistance to both spinners and seamers, but Day 1 is typically considered the best day for batting. India’s decision to bat first indicated their intent to post a solid total and put pressure on New Zealand early.
India’s Playing XI:
- Rohit Sharma (c)
- Shubman Gill
- Cheteshwar Pujara
- Virat Kohli
- Ajinkya Rahane
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Rishabh Pant (wk)
- Ravichandran Ashwin
- Mohammed Shami
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Axar Patel
India went in with a combination of three spinners and two seamers, trusting the pitch to aid their spin trio of Ashwin, Jadeja, and Axar Patel as the match progressed.
New Zealand’s Playing XI:
- Tom Latham (c)
- Devon Conway
- Kane Williamson
- Ross Taylor
- Henry Nicholls
- Tom Blundell (wk)
- Colin de Grandhomme
- Tim Southee
- Neil Wagner
- Ajaz Patel
- Kyle Jamieson
New Zealand opted for a balanced bowling attack with three fast bowlers and two spinners, including Ajaz Patel, hoping to make inroads early against India’s batting lineup.
Morning Session: India Off to a Steady Start
The first session of Day 1 saw India’s openers, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, walk out with positive intent. Both batsmen took their time to settle in, playing cautiously against New Zealand’s pace attack led by Tim Southee and Kyle Jamieson. The duo focused on building a solid foundation, leaving the good deliveries and punishing anything loose.
New Zealand's bowlers started with a disciplined line and length, looking to extract any early movement from the pitch. Jamieson, in particular, troubled the Indian batsmen with his extra bounce, but Rohit and Gill showed resilience. India managed to navigate through the initial overs without losing a wicket, bringing up a 50-run partnership in the process.
As the session progressed, the pitch offered little assistance to the fast bowlers, forcing New Zealand captain Tom Latham to bring spinner Ajaz Patel into the attack. Patel created a few chances, but the Indian openers remained steady, guiding India to a respectable score at lunch.
Score at Lunch:
India 82/0 (Rohit Sharma 45*, Shubman Gill 35*)
Post-Lunch Session: A Breakthrough for New Zealand
The second session began with Rohit Sharma looking to accelerate the scoring rate. He reached his half-century with a well-timed boundary off Southee. Shubman Gill, on the other hand, continued to play a patient innings, showing great maturity in his shot selection.
However, the introduction of Colin de Grandhomme into the attack proved to be a turning point for New Zealand. De Grandhomme, known for his accurate medium pace, provided the crucial breakthrough by dismissing Rohit Sharma, who edged a delivery to Tom Blundell behind the stumps. Rohit’s dismissal for 58 came as a relief for New Zealand, who were looking to break the opening partnership.
Cheteshwar Pujara walked in at number three and took his time to get settled. His partnership with Shubman Gill appeared promising until Ajaz Patel struck, removing Gill for 47 with a sharp-turning delivery. Gill’s dismissal left India at 128/2, giving New Zealand an opportunity to claw back into the game.
With two quick wickets, New Zealand’s bowlers gained momentum, and the pressure was on India’s middle order, especially with the in-form Virat Kohli arriving at the crease. Kohli began cautiously, aware of the situation, but played a few elegant drives to keep the scoreboard ticking.
Score at Tea:
India 145/2 (Cheteshwar Pujara 22*, Virat Kohli 18*)
Evening Session: A Battle of Patience
The evening session witnessed a gripping contest between bat and ball. New Zealand’s bowlers, led by Neil Wagner, continued to bowl with discipline, targeting the stumps and not allowing the Indian batsmen to score freely. Pujara and Kohli, known for their ability to absorb pressure, played cautiously, waiting for the right opportunities to attack.
Pujara’s watchful approach helped India stabilize after the loss of two quick wickets, but the scoring rate dropped significantly. New Zealand’s bowlers tightened the screws, not offering any easy runs. The partnership between Kohli and Pujara slowly grew, but just when India looked to be settling in again, Wagner delivered a key breakthrough, dismissing Pujara for 39 with a bouncer that Pujara gloved to the keeper.
Pujara’s wicket put India in a spot of bother at 189/3. Ajinkya Rahane then joined Kohli at the crease, but he struggled to find his rhythm early on. Wagner and Southee maintained relentless pressure, testing Rahane with short-pitched deliveries and probing the outside edge.
At the other end, Kohli looked in control, bringing up his half-century with a classy cover drive off Southee. However, just as Kohli seemed set for a big innings, Jamieson produced a moment of brilliance. The towering fast bowler got one to nip back sharply, trapping Kohli LBW for 63. Kohli’s dismissal came as a massive blow for India, leaving them at 227/4.
As the day drew to a close, Rahane and Jadeja took India past the 250-run mark, cautiously playing out the remaining overs to avoid further damage. New Zealand’s bowlers continued to bowl with discipline, and by stumps, India had reached 258/4.
Score at Stumps
India 258/4 (Ajinkya Rahane 21*, Ravindra Jadeja 15*)
Key Highlights of Day 1:
- **Rohit Sharma’s steady start**: Rohit led the charge with a composed 58, setting the foundation for India’s innings.
- **Shubman Gill’s promising knock**: Gill played a well-crafted innings of 47 before being undone by Ajaz Patel.
- **Virat Kohli’s crucial 63**: Kohli looked in sublime touch, but his dismissal late in the day was a key moment for New Zealand.
- **New Zealand’s disciplined bowling**: The Kiwis bowled with great control, with Jamieson and Wagner leading the attack.
Looking Ahead:
India will resume Day 2 at 258/4, with Ajinkya Rahane and Ravindra Jadeja looking to build on the overnight score. For New Zealand, early wickets will be the key to preventing India from posting a mammoth total. The pitch is likely to assist the spinners more as the game progresses, and New Zealand’s bowlers will aim to exploit any assistance on offer.
The match remains finely balanced after an intriguing Day 1, and both teams will be eager to seize the initiative on Day 2. Stay tuned for all the live updates and scores as the 1st Test between India and New Zealand unfolds in Bengaluru!
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