New Zealand pacers bundle India out for record-low total

India, currently at the top of the ICC World Test Championship standings, had a shocker of a start to their home series against New Zealand (placed sixth on WTC standings) after they were bundled out for a record-low total in Bengaluru.

WTC Standings 2023-25

The toss took place on Day 2 of the Test after the first day was washed out. Rohit Sharma elected to bat first, going in with a five-man bowling attack including two pacers and three spinners.

However, it was the New Zealand pacers who made the most of the overcast conditions. Tim Southee struck first, cleaning up Rohit Sharma in the seventh over for merely two runs. Matt Henry (5/15) and first-change William O’Rourke (4/22) took charge from there, and ran through India’s batting lineup. This was Henry's fourth five-wicket haul in Tests which helped him to 100 Test wickets in his 26th Test.

Only Rishabh Pant (20) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (13) made it to double figures, as India were bowled out for 46, their lowest-ever total at home. Five of India’s batters in top eight were out for a duck, only the second such instance in Test cricket.

This is also India’s third-lowest total of all time, and the fourth-lowest for any side that had chosen to bat first after winning the toss in Test cricket.

Matt Henry on leading New Zealand's pace attack during last year's CWC

India’s 46 all out was also the lowest total by any side in Asia in Tests, beating 53 all out held by West Indies (1986, Faisalabad), and Pakistan (2002, Sharjah).

This was also the lowest-ever total by a side against New Zealand in Tests, beating Zimbabwe’s 51 in Napier.

After bowling out India for 46, New Zealand had made a positive start to their innings, and had already taken a lead of 46 runs by tea on Day 2.