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NEW DELHI: New Zealand romped to an eight-wicket win over India on Sunday in the rain-marred Bengaluru Test to go 1-0 up in the three-match series.
The win was a first for the Kiwis on Indian soil in 36 years and only their third ever in the country.
A shock first innings batting performance saw India crash for 46 runs – their lowest Test total at home — played a major role in the rare home defeat.
While India top-order batters impressed in the second innings, there was yet another collapse at the fag end with seven wickets falling for 54 runs.
Former Pakistan batter Basit Ali lauded India’s spirited fight in the second innings but said that defeat will serve as an eye opener for head coach Gautam Gambhir ahead of the gruelling Australia tour later this year.
“Will India bounce back in the remaining two matches against New Zealand? I will say, Yes! We (Pakistan) won a Test after 3 years and 8 months. India, on the other hand have lost only three Tests in the last one and a half years but have won all series. Pakistan have been losing Test series at home and look at our condition, we have to endure Pakistan’s defeat at home,” Basit said on his YouTube channel
“Now that India have lost a Test, all the guns will be pointed at KL Rahul. Let’s see how Gautam Gambhir tackles this. (Rahul) Dravid tackled it very well. Ahead of the Australia tour, this defeat has come as an eye opener for Gambhir,” he added.
India Fight Well But Not Good Enough To Beat The Kiwis | Basit Ali
Ali found the partnership between Rachin Ravindra and Tim Southee in the first innings as the turning point.
The former Pakistan batter said that Jasprit Bumrah bowled superbly in the Test in Bengaluru but in Australia, he will need a solid bowling partner.
“The eight-over spell that Bumrah bowled, it reminded me of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis. But India have to take into consideration that Bumrah will need two quicks alongside him in Australia. Bumrah does not have a good pace bowling partner at the moment. Shami getting fit before the Australia tour will be crucial for India. Batting looks fine. Rohit (Sharma) scored a fifty, Virat (Kohli) scored a 70. These are good signs. Sarfaraz (Khan) hit 150 and played extremely well. Rishabh Pant is already a good Test player,” Basit added.
India’s next two Tests against New Zealand are scheduled for 24-28 October and 1-5 November in Pune and Mumbai before they leave for Australia.
The marquee Border-Gavaskar Trophy begins from November 22 with the first Test in Perth.
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