Some records, though meant to be broken, seem almost insurmountable, standing as testaments to dominance. Yet, as we’ve seen in cricket, no fortress remains impregnable forever. In 2021, Australia’s famed Gabba fortress, where they hadn’t lost a Test in 32 years, was conquered by a fearless group of young Indian cricketers. It was a moment etched in cricket history, as a team ravaged by injuries and lacking senior players outplayed Australia in their own backyard. Now, the tables have turned, with India falling victim to a similar script. New Zealand, a team recently bruised by a 2-0 series defeat to Sri Lanka, stormed into Bengaluru and clinched their first Test win on Indian soil in 36 years. New Zealand’s achievement is on par with India’s Gabba success, as they shattered the notion of India’s unbeatable home record, joining an elite group of just three teams to claim victory in the inaugural test of a series in India, in just over a decade or so. For historical context, India previously lost the first test match of a home series in 2004, interestingly against Australia in Bengaluru.
Déjà Vu: History Repeats Itself After Decades !
The parallels are uncanny—a so-called underdog defying the odds to end a historic streak, reminding us that in sport, no record is ever truly untouchable. Articulating this further, the last time New Zealand won a Test in India, their frontline spinner, Ajaz Patel was 1 month old. Rest of the current team, that created history in the ‘famed’ Chinnaswamy of India’s Garden City ~ Bengaluru, weren’t even born. I think few more stats / trivia, really hits home hard, the magnitude of the Kiwis epic test triumph on Indian soil after 36 years. When the Black Caps last won in India, Diego Maradona was, inarguably, the best footballer in the world, Stefan Edberg and Boris Becker were battling at the hallowed greens of Wimbledon and Dilip Vengsarkar was captaining India. Piloo Reporter, the only Indian Umpire to be selected for the 1992 ODI World cup, was one of the umpires of that unforgettable 1988 Wankhede encounter. Infact in 1986-87, Piloo Reporter alongwith VK Ramaswamy, became one of the first neutral officials to stand in test match since 1912, when umpiring a test match between Pakistan & the West Indies. Rewinding through the events of 1988, I also recall the exceptional Dutch football team that competed in the European Championship in West Germany, which I had the privilege of watching on television as a youngster, and being thoroughly captivated by the outstanding skills of the so-called “Orange Three Musketeers” – Ruud Gullit, Marco van Basten and Frank Rijkaard – who were part of that supremely talented Netherlands squad.
By the way, when you look back into the history books and analyze the records of that Nov’88 Wankhede test, you will see New Zealand’s great win was spearheaded by their legendary fast bowler, Sir Richard Hadlee, who picked up 10 wickets in that match (6 for 49 in the first innings and 4 for 39 in the second) and ably supported by John Garry Bracewell, who picked up a ‘fifer’ in the second innings chase by team India ! Gritty contributions by Ian Smith, Andrew Jones and Bracewell (again !), with the willow in hand this time, constituted one of the best fights and a memorable victory for the men from ‘Aotearoa’, the Maori name for New Zealand, which translates to “Land of the Long White Cloud”. As mentioned earlier, that win in the second test of the three tests series of 1988, was the last occasion of New Zealand winning a test in India ; although, India went on to win that three-Test series 2-1. Just adding another piece of interesting cricket trivia here, apparently, India’s test captain Vengsarkar had invited a 15 year-old prodigy who went by the name of Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar, to bat against the Indian Test bowlers in the nets prior to the Bombay Test of 1988. A year later, Tendulkar made his Test debut, in Pakistan, and became the youngest player to play for India ……& the rest we all know is history !
And talking of history, New Zealand penned a fresh page in its illustrious history on a resplendent Sunday, exemplifying the nation’s steadfast resolve. The women’s cricket team seized the ICC T20I Women’s World Cup held in Dubai, concurrently with the men’s team’s test success, generating a dual sensation for the nation’s enthusiasts. New Zealand’s triumph in the 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup is indeed a remarkable feat, especially considering they entered the tournament on the back of a 10-match losing streak. The White Ferns displayed incredible resilience and peaked at the right moment to claim their maiden title. Melie Kerr’s all-round performance in the final was a standout, scoring 43 runs and then taking 3/23 to dismantle South Africa. Her contributions were vital in setting up New Zealand’s 32-run victory. This win will go down as one of the historic moments for New Zealand cricket, marking a brilliant achievement for the women’s team on the global stage.
Reviewing, India’s shock defeat to New Zealand in the Bengaluru Test, many ‘cricketing experts’ have brushed off the defeat as an aberration. But it’s difficult to ignore the deeper problems that led to this loss. From questionable decision-making at the toss to major batting collapses and ineffective bowling, this result might be a reminder that India’s proud home record is not looking that invincible, considering ageing-superstars and out of form players, currently constitute the team.
Facts and Figures from the Bengaluru Test
India’s downfall began with Rohit Sharma’s decision to bat first on a pitch that was lively early on. Being bowled out for a meagre 46 in the first innings, this was India’s lowest total at home. Matt Henry’s early burst (5/15) exploited the conditions perfectly, but it was the resurgence of New Zealand’s lower-order batting— led by the promising lefty Rachin Ravindra’s brilliant century and his counter attacking partnership with No.9, Tim Southee —that really stung India. Rachin Ravindra, whose 134 will go down as one of the best knocks on Indian soil by an overseas batsmen, was particularly effective in neutralizing the spin threat from the formidable duo of Ashwin and Jadeja.
India’s second innings was a tale of missed opportunities. At 408/3 & having overcome the mammoth deficit of 356 runs, they seemed set to take control, with a series of superb partnerships, first between Virat Kohli and Sarfaraz Khan & then that enterprising one between Sarfaraz & the dynamic Rishabh Pant ! But a collapse ensued, with Team India losing their last seven wickets for just 62 runs, leaving them exposed to New Zealand’s calculated chase of 107 runs.
India’s Struggle Against Overseas Left-Handers
Rachin Ravindra’s stupendous effort in both innings of the Bengaluru Test, evoked painful memories of several left-handed batters who have tormented India on home soil over the decades.
West Indies’ middle order lynchpin of that 1994 series in India, Jimmy Adams (Indian fans would know him as ‘Padams’), with his defensive technique, frustrated India’s spinners and thwarted Team India’s chances of winning a rare test series versus the dominant West Indies side of the 1980s & early 1990s. Matthew Hayden’s brutal, almost gladiatorial approach in 2001 remains etched in memory—his 549 runs were a key factor in Australia’s challenge during that historic series. Alastair Cook’s masterclass in 2012 was equally remarkable ; his three centuries (especially the 122 at Mumbai & 190 at Kolkata) were pivotal in securing England’s first series win in India in 28 years.
These left-handers, through varied techniques, consistently found ways to neutralize India’s spinners and seamers, which makes Rachin Ravindra’s current success a continuation of this legacy. Ravindra’s performance in Bengaluru followed this historical pattern of lefty dominance of India’s main force – their spin attack – and it’s something India must address urgently in the upcoming Pune Test, the second of this three test series.
Concerns for India in the Pune Test
India has prided itself on an impregnable home record, but the cracks are showing. The Pune Test will be critical, as it’s likely to signal the path forward for Team India. With the potential absence of Rishabh Pant due to injury concerns, KL Rahul might be tasked with keeping duties, allowing both Shubman Gill and the in-form Sarfaraz Khan, to fit into the lineup. Yet, Rahul’s recent form is a concern, and his ability to handle the dual responsibility, will be under the scanner.
On the bowling front, Siraj’s struggles as one of the frontline strike bowlers, is another prickly issue for the Team management. Mohammed Siraj, a key member of India’s attack, has looked far from his best, and the team might turn to Akashdeep in Pune, to partner Jasprit Bumrah. While Ashwin and Jadeja’s disappointing outing in Bengaluru can be considered as a ‘rare oddity’, the pace attack’s inconsistency and failure to make early inroads into the opposition’s batting lineup, proved to be a decisive factor.
To be honest, Bumrah aside, the remaining bowlers failed to challenge the New Zealand batting lineup, whereas the opposing bowling attack demonstrated a superior ability to read the conditions and extract maximum benefit from the Chinnaswamy pitch.
Looking further ahead, India must start preparing for the eventual departures of stalwarts like Rohit, Virat, Ashwin, and Jadeja from the test format, which is bound to happen sooner than later. The Pune Test could be a litmus test for how well India can adapt without their big guns. New Zealand’s focused and relentless approach indicates that teams will no longer be intimidated by India’s home advantage. Moreover, with Bumrah’s fitness constantly under scrutiny, India needs to find dependable seam options to complement their spin attack.
In light of Ashwin and Jadeja’s impending exit, the onus falls on spinners Kuldeep Yadav, who was largely ineffective in the Bengaluru Test, and Axar Patel to rise to the challenge and seize opportunities to establish themselves within the current test team. With India trailing 1-0, it may be an opportune moment to infuse youth, specifically Mumbai’s talented off spinner Tanush Kotian, who has impressed in domestic circles. However, the likelihood of this happening is uncertain, particularly following Washington Sundar’s inclusion in the second test squad, whose potential playing chances are still undetermined, despite his established credentials as a batting all-rounder in red-ball cricket.
In conclusion, the Pune Test isn’t just about bouncing back; it’s about setting the blueprint for India’s future. The loss in Bengaluru wasn’t an aberration—it might be a sign of the competitive pressures to come, especially if India doesn’t evolve beyond its reliance on senior players.
