The Indian cricket team was bowled out for their lowest ever Test total on home soil, managing just 46 runs against a rampaging New Zealand bowling attack. The second day of the Test match at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata will be remembered as one of the darkest days in India’s storied cricket history, as the Kiwis delivered a clinical performance to dismantle the Indian batting lineup in just 19.3 overs. This shocking development left fans and analysts in disbelief, marking a historic low for Indian cricket in the Test arena.
New Zealand’s Dominance with the Ball
New Zealand’s pace trio—led by the lethal Tim Southee, Trent Boult, and Neil Wagner—exhibited extraordinary skill with both swing and seam to take advantage of the overcast conditions. The ball seemed to do wonders off the pitch, and India’s celebrated batting lineup had no answer to the precision and discipline of the Kiwi bowlers. The entire innings lasted just 117 minutes, and the scoreboard was left showing 46 runs for the loss of all 10 wickets—India’s lowest ever Test score on home soil, and their second-lowest total overall in Test cricket.
Tim Southee was the wrecker-in-chief, delivering a masterclass in swing bowling. He picked up 5 wickets for just 13 runs, dismantling India’s top and middle order with ease. Trent Boult supported him brilliantly from the other end, claiming 3 wickets for 12 runs, while Neil Wagner’s relentless short-pitched deliveries accounted for 2 wickets, including that of Indian captain Rohit Sharma, who top-scored with 14 runs.
It wasn’t just the pacers who performed well for New Zealand. The fielders backed them up with sharp catches, ensuring India had no way to escape their predicament. The atmosphere at Eden Gardens quickly shifted from excitement to shock, as one Indian batsman after another made their way back to the pavilion.
India’s Stunning Collapse
The Indian innings got off to a shaky start, with the openers looking uncomfortable from the outset. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill faced an uphill battle as they struggled to cope with the late swing generated by Southee and Boult. Gill was the first to fall, trapped lbw by Southee for 4 runs. From there, things only got worse for India.
Cheteshwar Pujara, known for his defensive resilience, was unable to hold his ground, edging a delivery from Boult to the slips for a duck. Virat Kohli, the former captain, walked in with hopes of stabilizing the innings but lasted just five balls before being bowled by a perfect inswinger from Southee, also without scoring.
Ajinkya Rahane, returning to the team after a brief absence, was dismissed for 1 as India lost four of their top batsmen for a combined total of just 19 runs. Rishabh Pant, known for his aggressive counterattacking style, failed to make an impact, falling to Wagner for 6. The tailenders did not fare much better, and despite a brief resistance from Rohit Sharma, the team was bowled out for a humiliating total of 46.
A Record-Breaking Low
This debacle marked India’s lowest ever Test score at home, eclipsing the previous record of 75, which they made against the West Indies in Delhi in 1987. It also became India’s second-lowest total in Test history, behind the infamous 42 against England at Lord’s in 1974.
The collapse also earned India the dubious distinction of becoming the first team to score less than 50 runs in a Test innings at home since 1955, when South Africa was bowled out for 44 by England in Johannesburg. The enormity of the collapse cannot be understated, as India’s batting lineup, filled with world-class talent and experience, crumbled in the face of New Zealand’s relentless pressure.
Reactions from the Cricket World
Fans, pundits, and former players were stunned by India’s unexpected collapse. Social media platforms were flooded with reactions, with many questioning the team’s approach and mental resilience in the face of high-quality swing bowling.
Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar, speaking as part of the commentary team, expressed his shock at the result. “This is one of the most remarkable collapses we have ever seen in Indian cricket. There was no discipline in the way the batsmen approached their innings. Credit to New Zealand for exploiting the conditions, but India has some serious introspection to do,” Gavaskar remarked.
New Zealand’s captain, Kane Williamson, praised his bowlers for their exceptional performance. “It was a fantastic effort from the entire bowling unit. We knew that the conditions were in our favor, and the boys executed the game plan to perfection. To bowl India out for 46 on their home soil is something special,” Williamson said at the end of the day’s play.
What’s Next for India?
For the Indian team, this collapse raises serious questions about their preparation and mental toughness when facing quality pace bowling in challenging conditions. While India has been dominant at home in recent years, this performance exposes vulnerabilities that may need immediate addressing ahead of future matches.
Head coach Rahul Dravid and captain Rohit Sharma will need to regroup and ensure the team puts this defeat behind them quickly. India still has opportunities to recover in the ongoing series, but such a comprehensive collapse may have long-term effects on their confidence and approach to future games.
As for New Zealand, this remarkable performance solidifies their reputation as one of the most dangerous Test teams in the world, capable of dismantling even the strongest opposition on foreign soil.