Ganesh Kendale
NEW DELHI: After India’s dismal batting collapse on the second day of the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru, captain Rohit Sharma expressed his disappointment, saying it was painful to witness such a low score.
Rohit also acknowledged that his decision to bat first may have backfired, but he emphasized that a rare poor call in a year is acceptable.
“I am hurting to see this score of 46 as captain as it was my call to bat first.But one or two bad calls in a year is alright,” Rohit said after the day’s play.
India collapsed to their lowest home Test total of 46 against New Zealand after pacers Matt Henry and William O’Rourke joined forces to bowl out the hosts in mere 31.2 overs during the second session.
This was India’s third-lowest score in Test cricket, following their 36 all-out against Australia in the 2020 pink-ball Test in Adelaide and 42 all-out against England at Lord’s in 1974.
India’s previous lowest score at home was 62, also against New Zealand at Mumbai in 2021.
Riding on opener Devon Conway’s 91, New Zealand powered into a lead of 134 at stumps on a dramatic day two in Bengaluru.
New Zealand were 180-3 at close of play with Rachin Ravindra on 22 and Daryl Mitchell on 14 when stumps were drawn in an extended session.
