In a historic event, New Zealand defeated India by eight wickets in the opening test to take a a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. This is the Black Caps first win in India since 1988.
The final day of the rain-interrupted opening test saw New Zealand needing 107 to win. Will Young (48 not out) and Rachin Ravindra (39 not out) took the team to victim by adding 75 runs. There were a few nervy moments early on like the opening spell from Jasprit Bumrah (2/29 in 8 overs). Bumrah dismissed Tom Latham (0) in the second ball and Devon Conway in the 13th over.
The visiting team had restricted India to a dismal 46 in the first innings before scoring 402. It dismissed the hosts again for 462 and chased down their 107-run target.
The second Test at Pune starts on October 24.
That said, India has something to cheer about in the way they clawed back from the depths of getting bowled out for 46 in the first innings. Captain Rohit Sharma will not have to consider retaining Sarfaraz Khan, who scored a stunning 150 in the second innings, considering that Shubman Gill is poised to return after recovering from a stiff neck.
Sharma will also have to ponder whether to go back to the three-pacer strategy or continue three spinners, which didn't go well for the team in the first test.
The victory has also seen New Zealand's points percentage (PCT) jump from 37.50 to 44.44 per cent, surpassing South Africa and England in the process. They are now placed fourth, comfortably behind Sri Lanka (55.56 per cent), and just above England (43.06 per cent).