New Zealand pacers Matt Henry and William Peter O'Rourke blew away India in a rain-interrupted first innings on day 2 of the first Test match against New Zealand in Bengaluru, bowling out the hosts for a paltry 46.
It was India's lowest total in Tests at home. Matt Henry was the wrecker-in-chief with 5/15, while O'Rourke took 4/22. Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant was the top scorer for India with 20 runs.
As many as five Indian batters—Virat Kohli, Sarfaraz Khan, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin—fell for nought, as the Kiwi pacers made full use of overcast conditions at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. The first day of this match was called off due to rain.
With rain staying away on the second day, India skipper Rohit Shama opted to bat after winning the toss. But, the decision proved to be suicidal as all the Indian batters, including Sharma, struggled against the moving ball and seam movement.
While the skipper was dismissed by Tim Southee for two, while trying to go for an expansive drive, his fellow opener Yashasvi Jaiswal managed to slug it out for a 63-ball 13 though he was equally uncomfortable.
With Shubman Gill not in the playing XI because of a stiff neck, Virat Kohli walked in at No. 3, but lasted only nine balls. He gloved a rising delivery off O'Rourke to Glenn Phillips at leg gully.
Sarfaraz Khan, Gill's replacement, fell trying to hit Henry over mid-off, caught brilliantly by Devon Conway.
At 10 for three, there was a short rain-break, but it did not help India much, as wickets continued to fall. Pant, who was dropped on 7 by wicketkeeper Tom Blundell off O'Rourke, managed to score 20 runs before edging one off Henry to the slips.
The fifer took Henry's Test haul to 100 wickets.