Guwahati: India faced a shocking setback in the first Test against New Zealand, struggling with both bat and ball. By the end of the second day’s play, New Zealand was in a commanding position at 180/3, leading by 134 runs, thanks to Devon Conway’s impressive performance (91 runs off 105 balls, including 11 fours and 3 sixes). Rachin Ravindra (22 not out) and Daryl Mitchell (14 not out) were at the crease, looking to extend their lead.
In a disastrous first innings, India was bowled out for a mere 46 runs in 31.2 overs, with Rishabh Pant being the top scorer at just 20 runs. New Zealand’s pacers, particularly Matt Henry (5/15) and William O’Rourke (4/22), exploited the conditions effectively, backed by stellar fielding that included remarkable catches from Jaiswal, Kohli, Sarfaraz, Bumrah, and Kuldeep.
India’s bowlers struggled to make an impact, failing to capitalize on the favorable conditions. As the pitch dried, seam movement decreased, with India’s average seam movement dropping from 0.87 degrees during their innings to 0.65 degrees while bowling to the Kiwis. Conway capitalized on this, scoring runs freely against both pace and spin.
Missing crucial chances—three catches, two stumpings, and a run-out—added to India’s woes. Conway’s partnership with Tom Latham (15 runs) and Will Young (33 runs) further solidified New Zealand’s strong position. The Indian team will need to regroup quickly if they hope to make a comeback on the third day.
