• The second day of the first Test between India and New Zealand at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru belonged entirely to the visitors.

  • At stumps on Day 2, New Zealand finished at 180/3, holding a lead of 134 runs.

Twitter reactions: Matt Henry, Devon Conway headline New Zealand’s dominance over India on Day 2 of the 1st Test
New Zealand dominates the proceedings on Day 2 of the first Test (Image Source: X)

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The second day of the first Test between India and New Zealand at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru belonged entirely to the visitors. After a rain-affected opening day, New Zealand’s seamers, led by Matt Henry, made full use of the damp conditions on the second morning. India, having opted to bat first, faced a fierce bowling attack, with Henry and William O’Rourke utilizing the seam movement and swing to great effect.

Henry was particularly lethal, claiming his first five-wicket haul against India and bundling out the hosts for a paltry 46 — their lowest total at home and third-lowest in Test cricket history. India’s decision to bat first proved costly, as the top order crumbled under relentless pressure, giving New Zealand a significant advantage.

Devon Conway and Will Young shine with the bat

With a meager target of 46 runs to surpass, New Zealand’s openers began their innings under favorable conditions. The sun was out, the pitch had eased up, and the movement that troubled Indian batters was less pronounced. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj tried to create breakthroughs, but Devon Conway showed great resilience and intent. He played confidently, especially against the spinners, and was quick to attack Ravichandran Ashwin as soon as he was brought into the attack.

Despite the first breakthrough when Kuldeep Yadav trapped Tom Latham lbw, Conway and Will Young formed a solid partnership, adding 75 runs for the second wicket. Their efforts put New Zealand in a commanding position, comfortably surpassing India’s first-innings score and extending their lead.

India’s brief comeback as Conway falls short of century

India managed to claw back in the final session, taking two quick wickets that slightly dented New Zealand’s charge. Ravindra Jadeja broke the crucial stand by dismissing Young for 33, and Ashwin followed it up by taking the prized wicket of Conway, who fell just nine runs short of what would have been a spectacular century. Despite missing out on a ton, Conway’s 91-run knock was a key factor in New Zealand’s dominance on Day 2.

New Zealand in command, lead by 134 runs

At stumps, New Zealand finished at 180/3, holding a lead of 134 runs. It was a day of complete dominance for the visitors, with Henry’s five-wicket haul setting the tone in the morning and Conway’s near-century consolidating their grip on the match. India will need a remarkable effort from their bowlers on Day 3 to contain New Zealand and prevent the lead from growing further.

Also READ: IND vs NZ: 3 reasons behind India’s batting collapse in the first Test

What’s next: Indian bowlers need to step up

Heading into Day 3, New Zealand will look to extend their lead and bat India out of the match. The pressure is firmly on the Indian bowlers to take quick wickets in the morning session and halt New Zealand’s progress. With the pitch expected to deteriorate further, the morning spells could prove crucial in determining the course of the match.

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Also READ: 5 lowest totals for India in Tests on home soil

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About the Author:
AKSHAT GAUR
Akshat is the Sr. Content Strategist at CricketTimes.com. With a passion for storytelling and a keen eye for detail, Akshat has honed his skills over 6 years, working with various media outlets, publications, and organizations to deliver high-quality content that informs, educates, and entertains audiences. He is just another cricket fan who’s grown up watching the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid. Cricket runs in his veins. Cover drive is his favorite sight, and a ball meeting the middle of the bat is his favorite sound. You can write to him at akshat.gaur@crickettimes.com and follow him on Twitter, Facebook & Linkedin.