India found themselves on the wrong side of history during their ongoing Test Match against New Zealand. With a total of just 46 runs, the team recorded its lowest score ever on home soil, leaving fans and players alike in disbelief.
The Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore, a venue known for its lively atmosphere and enthusiastic crowd, saw the weather play a significant role in the test match. With rain disrupting play on day one and play being adjourned without a ball bowled, day two was ripe for a thrilling encounter, but what unfolded was anything but.
Captained by Rohit Sharma, India won the toss and opted to bat first, a decision that would soon be scrutinized. The overcast skies and damp conditions presented a challenging environment for the batsmen, yet the team believed they could capitalize on the situation.
New Zealand’s bowling lineup, led by Tim Southee, was relentless. With a combination of pace and swing, the bowlers exploited the conditions expertly. Their strategy was simple yet effective: challenge the Indian batsmen’s technique and patience.
India’s innings unravelled in a manner that left spectators stunned. The team was dismissed for a mere 46 runs, marking not just a new low for Indian cricket at home but also the third-lowest total in Test history.
The batting order crumbled under pressure, with four of the top seven batsmen failing to score, each falling victim to the disciplined New Zealand attack. Rohit Sharma, who had been a stalwart for the team, was dismissed for just 2 runs after a series of outswing deliveries from Southee.
In a surprising twist, Virat Kohli walked in at number three instead of KL Rahul, who was sidelined due to injury. Kohli’s return to this position after eight years added to the intrigue, but his innings ended in disappointment as he fell for a duck, contributing to the team’s woes.
Rishab Pant top-scored for the home side with 20 runs. The extent of India’s batting failure can be seen in the fact he was one of only two batsmen (the other being Yashasvi Jaiswal) to reach double digits.
This stunning collapse wasn’t an isolated incident. India’s previous lowest score of 36 runs, achieved during the 2020-21 tour of Australia, had already set a grim precedent.
Here’s a glance at India’s lowest Test scores:
Score
Opponent
Venue
Year
36
Australia
Adelaide
2020
42
England
Lord’s
1974
46
New Zealand
Bengaluru
2024
58
Australia
Brisbane
1947
58
England
Manchester
1952
This score of 46 also set a new record for the lowest total in Asia, surpassing the previous record held by the West Indies against Pakistan in 1986. Such statistics only add to the weight of this historic failure.
These scores serve as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of cricket. Even the strongest teams can falter under pressure, and every match (indeed, every session) is an opportunity for redemption. It is not for nothing the sport is known for its glorious uncertainties. One can only hope that this test plays out somewhat similarly to the India-New Zealand Test Match at Mohali in 1999, and India can mount something of a comeback.
