IND vs NZ, 1st Test: India's top order collapse against New Zealand
Despite the rain stopping in Bengaluru, overcast conditions prevailed, providing the New Zealand pacers with good swing.
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FollowIndia, opting to bat after winning the toss in the first Test against New Zealand, suffered a top-order collapse. At the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, India started their innings and were at 13 for 3 at the time of this report. Rohit Sharma (2), Virat Kohli (0), and Sarfaraz Khan (0) were sent back to the pavilion. Tim Southee, William O'Rourke, and Matt Henry took the wickets. Yashasvi Jaiswal (8) and Rishabh Pant (3) were at the crease when rain interrupted play. Earlier, India took the field without Shubman Gill, who hadn't recovered from a neck injury. Sarfaraz replaced him. India fielded three spinners.
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Although the rain had stopped in Bengaluru, the overcast conditions provided the Kiwi pacers with significant swing, troubling the Indian batsmen. First, Southee bowled Rohit with an in-swinging delivery. Kohli followed, caught by Glenn Phillips at leg gully. Gill's replacement, Sarfaraz, lasted only three balls, caught by Devon Conway off Henry's bowling at extra cover.
Heavy rain had led to the abandonment of the first day's play. The match began early today. The first session was scheduled from 9:15 to 11:30. The second Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur was also interrupted by rain, but India secured victory within two days.
Before the five-match series against Australia, India will be hoping to clean sweep the three-Test series against New Zealand and thereby solidify top spot in the World Test Championship table. New Zealand, playing without former captain Kane Williamson, is relying on Rachin Ravindra's form.
India's Playing XI: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (Wicketkeeper), KL Rahul, R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah (Vice-captain), Mohammed Siraj.
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