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India won the toss and elected to bat first on Day 2 of the opening Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru, after Day 1 was washed out due to rain. However, their innings quickly unraveled as they lost three crucial wickets within just 13 runs before rain interrupted play once again. But the highlight of the morning session was Sarfaraz Khan‘s dismissal, which saw a stunning catch by Devon Conway at mid-off.
Sarfaraz Khan’s dismissal: A stunning one-handed catch by Devon Conway
Sarfaraz’s wicket marked the third significant blow to India’s innings, with the dismissal happening in the 10th over. Matt Henry, who had already applied pressure with tight bowling, delivered a slightly fuller ball. Sarfaraz attempted to counterattack by driving the ball over mid-off, but his shot was mistimed. Conway, stationed at mid-off, reacted instantly. Despite being wide of his usual position, Conway leaped to his right and stretched his arm to make a one-handed stunner, plucking the ball out of the air just as it passed him. This outstanding catch not only dismissed Sarfaraz for a duck but also put New Zealand firmly in control of the match.
Here’s the video:
Conway's leap of faith 🤯☝️#TeamIndia lose their 3rd wicket early on in Bengaluru! #INDvNZ #IDFCFirstBankTestTrophy #JioCinemaSports pic.twitter.com/gM3dSzIgKn
— JioCinema (@JioCinema) October 17, 2024
Also READ: IND vs NZ: Here’s why Akash Deep and Shubman Gill not playing the Bengaluru Test
Early struggles in India’s innings before rain stopped play
India’s decision to bat first seemed promising, but the early stages of their innings quickly turned disastrous. After rain washed out play on Day 1, India’s batters struggled to cope with the overcast conditions and the disciplined bowling of the New Zealand seamers. India lost their first wicket at just 9 runs when Tim Southee bowled captain Rohit Sharma for 2. The trouble deepened when Virat Kohli, who came in at No. 3, was dismissed for a duck after facing just 9 balls, caught by Glenn Phillips off William O’Rourke’s bowling, leaving India reeling at 9/2.
Soon after, Sarfaraz’s attempt to counter-attack backfired when he was brilliantly caught by Conway off Henry’s bowling, reducing India to 10/3. Sarfaraz’s dismissal highlighted New Zealand’s sharp fielding and control over the game. Just when Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant were trying to steady the ship, rain interrupted play after only an hour, with India stranded at 13/3 in 12.4 overs.
