Tom Latham, New Zealand captain, was on cloud nine after his team won the first Test against India in Bengaluru by 8 wickets. This was New Zealand’s first Test win in India since 1988.
After the rain-hit match wrapped up on day five, Latham revealed that New Zealand had initially planned to bat first as well, but the toss loss turned out to be a blessing. India was bundled out for 46 runs after Rohit Sharma won the toss and chose to bat first.
New Zealand then replied with 402 runs with Rachin Ravindra scoring 134 and Devon Conway making 91 runs.
India then replied with 462 runs in their second innings with fifties from Rohit Sharma (53), Virat Kohli (70), and Rishabh Pant (99), while Sarfaraz Khan made 150.
Chasing 107 runs on a rain-delayed final day, New Zealand lost Latham for a duck and Devon Conway for 17. However, Will Young (48 not out) and Rachin Ravindra (39 not out) stitched together an unbeaten 75-run stand to guide the visitors to 110/2, securing a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
“I think we were actually going to bat first as well. It was a good toss to lose in the end. We put the ball in the right areas and got the results. We knew India would come back at us in the third innings but the bowlers asked nice questions with the second new ball and got the results,” Latham said in the post-match presentation.
Reflecting on the performance, Latham praised Ravindra, who had already made a mark with his first-innings 134 and 39* in the second innings.
“Young guy (Rachin), played Test cricket a few years ago. The way he has played in the last 12 months and sort of slotted into a new role he's not used to.. he showed his class in the first innings. Settled the nerves in our change room with the way he came out and batted today,” added the skipper.
Latham also credited other key members of the team for their pivotal roles in the win, saying, “He (ORourke) has been fantastic at the international stage. Pace, bounce, ability to move the ball in the air and off the wicket. He was backed up by the veteran Southee and Matt Henry as well. The way he (Southee) bowled up top in the first innings probably set the tone for us beautifully and we know the capability Tim had with the bat.”
The victory lifts New Zealand to fourth place in the World Test Championship standings, overtaking England and South Africa. The second Test between India and New Zealand will be played in Pune from October 24 onwards.
(ANI inputs)
