India were skittled out for 46 on day two of the Bengaluru Test against New Zealand. Here’s the full list of the side’s lowest-ever totals in the history of Test cricket.
After rain washed out the opening day, India opted to bat first. Batting on the lively Bengaluru pitch, New Zealand pacers wreaked havoc. Rohit Sharma was the first to perish after being bowled by Tim Southee for just two runs. Virat Kohli, who came in at No.3 in Shubman Gill’s absence, couldn’t trouble the scorers, returning for a nine-ball duck off a steep Will O’Rourke delivery. Gill’s replacement, Sarfaraz Khan, met with a similar fate, returning for a three-ball duck. As a result, India slipped to their worst start (10-3) at home in 25 years.
India went to lunch at 34-6, with KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja also failing to open their accounts. After the break, R Ashwin perished off the first ball in the second session for yet another duck. At 34-7, India were on the verge of getting bowled out under their lowest-ever score of 36, which came against Australia in 2020. A four from Rishabh Pant (20) ensured they went past the unwanted record. India were eventually bowled out for 46 in 31.2 overs. Matt Henry picked up 5-15, while O'Rourke supported him with 4-22.
Full list: The lowest totals for India in men's Tests
India’s lowest-ever total came against Australia in the Adelaide Test in 2020, after which they scripted a remarkable turnaround to win the series 2-1. The second-lowest total on the list came against England way back in 1974 at Lord's. The first innings in Bengaluru against New Zealand is now the side’s third-lowest in the format and the lowest at home, after the tally against West Indies (75) in Delhi in 1987.
List of India's lowest totals in Test cricket at home
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