IND VS NZ TESTS

Right then, that's a thrilling conclusion to the first Test between India and New Zealand! With a commanding performance, New Zealand has drawn first blood in this three-match series, with Tom Latham making history by breaking a 36-year dry spell on Indian soil. Coming into this series after a disappointing outing against Sri Lanka, everything seemed stacked against the Kiwis. However, they have staged a remarkable comeback, reasserting their authority in red-ball cricket. The action now shifts to Pune, where the second Test at the MCA Stadium promises even more excitement. Mark your calendars for Thursday, October 24th, with the first ball scheduled to be bowled at 4 am GMT! Be sure to join us early for all the pre-match insights and buildup. Until then, stay tuned, take care, and goodbye!

Rachin Ravindra is the Player of the Match for his outstanding knocks with the bat in both innings. He scored 173 runs in total! He says it was a nice wicket to bat on and the odds were in his favour. Adds that the clarity in his mind with the footwork helps a lot and he just backs himself to play positively. Mentions that when you have 6 Tests in a row in sub-continent conditions you have to be prepared and in Chennai, he wanted to have a look at how to play on red soil and black soil pitches. Says that he likes to be in good positions while batting, not necessarily taking the game to the opponent but playing freely. Further adds that he loves the support of this crowd and is great to play in front of his family and friends.

Tom Latham, the victorious skipper says that they also would have batted first and it was a great toss to lose. Adds that they set the game beautifully in the first two innings but knew India would come hard at them. States that despite having knocked India over for 46 they knew they needed to play well and never thought India were out of the game. Mentions that the ability William O'Rourke has to generate that extra bounce and movement is exceptional and he is glad to have him in the side and is rightly backed by the rest of the bowling unit. Appreciates Rachin Ravindra and says that he has shown his class despite being slotted into a new role is great.

Rohit Sharma, the skipper of India is up for a chat. He says it was a great effort with the bat in the second innings after a disappointing first-inning performance. Adds that they didn't bat well in the first innings and wanted to improve and a couple of guys stood out. Mentions that when you are 350-odd runs behind, you can't think too much and just play according to the ball. Says that when Sarfaraz and Pant were batting everyone was on the edge and it was a treat to watch them bat and a couple of partnerships got them back in the game. Tells they have to take responsibility for being bowled out for 46, but as he said earlier, he didn't expect the ball to do that much under overcast conditions and got it wrong. Ends by saying that, they have got a lot of players in the team who know how to come back after a setback and they will be looking to do exactly that in the next game.

It's time for the Presentation Ceremony...

India dominated most of Day 4, thanks to an inspired partnership between Rishabh Pant and Sarfaraz Khan, who added 177 runs and comfortably erased the deficit. Sarfaraz notched up a magnificent 150, setting India on course for a big lead. However, the introduction of the second new ball changed the momentum dramatically. Tim Southee struck, dismissing Sarfaraz and triggering a stunning collapse as India crumbled from 400/3 to 462 all out. Pant fell heartbreakingly short of a century, dismissed for 99, and New Zealand were left with a modest target of just 107 runs. However, bad light brought an early end to proceedings after only four balls in the final innings, setting the stage for a thrilling finish on Day 5.

Day 3 was packed with even more action. Despite losing a few quick wickets in the middle, New Zealand found stability through a gritty partnership between Rachin Ravindra and Tim Southee. The pair frustrated the Indian bowlers, steering the total to an imposing 402 and handing the Kiwis a commanding 356-run lead. Rachin starred with a brilliant 134, while Southee’s 65 provided valuable support. Facing a daunting deficit, India needed a heroic response, and their openers, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma, gave them a promising start. However, both fell just when they seemed set, leaving Virat Kohli and Sarfaraz Khan to rebuild. The duo’s 136-run partnership gave India hope, but Kohli’s dismissal off the last ball of the day handed New Zealand a crucial opening heading into Day 4.

Let's quickly go over the rollercoaster recap of the past four days - After the entire opening day was washed out due to rain, Day 2 brought a surprising turn of events. Rohit Sharma won the toss and boldly chose to bat first under heavy overcast conditions, with the pitch having remained under covers for more than a day. The decision backfired as New Zealand’s pace attack, led by Matt Henry and William O'Rourke, made the ball talk and dismantled India for a paltry 46 runs. In response, the Kiwi openers batted with caution, capitalizing on the sun peeking through to tame the pitch. Devon Conway’s fluent 91 and a solid start from Rachin Ravindra propelled New Zealand to 180/3, as bad light curtailed play towards the end of the day.

Yet, Rachin Ravindra, the centurion from the first innings, had other plans. He stepped up to the crease and picked up right where he left off. A flurry of boundaries quickly settled any lingering nerves, and soon it was a masterclass in sensible batting between Rachin and Will Young. Rohit Sharma searched for answers, probing his bowlers and trying to find a way to break the partnership, but the pitch offered little assistance, and the spinners couldn't find their rhythm. Both batters continued to build momentum, wrapping up the chase with ease and silencing the crowd, handing India a defeat with 8 wickets in hand. New Zealand have secured their third Test victory in India, a monumental achievement that hasn’t been seen since their last wins in 1969 and 1988!

Chasing a modest target of just 107, New Zealand faced an early onslaught from Bumrah and Siraj, which proved to be a challenging start. The Kiwis lost Tom Latham right away, leaving them under immense pressure as the passionate home crowd got behind the bowlers, intensifying the nerves. Bumrah consistently beat the outside edges but just couldn't find the nick needed for a breakthrough. However, after a prolonged spell, he finally trapped Devon Conway, giving India a glimmer of hope to stage a comeback.

WHAT A WIN FOR THE KIWIS! New Zealand have pulled off a sensational victory, chasing down the target with 8 wickets in hand to take a 1-0 lead in this series! This is truly a special Sunday for New Zealand Cricket, with the Men’s team scripting history and the Women’s team hoping to follow suit later today in the T20 World Cup Final against South Africa. This victory holds extra significance, as New Zealand have secured their first Test win on Indian soil in 36 years, toppling a side that has been nearly unbeatable at home for years. A monumental achievement by the Black Caps, thoroughly deserved after an outstanding all-round performance.

FOUR! THE BLACKCAPS HAVE DONE IT! Ravindra Jadeja drops it short and outside off, Will Young cuts it away. Jasprit Bumrah at short third dives to his left but fails to stop it from going for a boundary. It is all smiles in the Kiwi camp, both Rachin Ravindra and Will Young hug each other and walk off with a big smile on their faces. NEW ZEALAND WIN BY 8 WICKETS!

Quicker, full and on middle, Will Young blocks it out.

SCORES LEVEL! Flighted, full and on middle, Rachin Ravindra sweeps it towards deep square leg for a run.

Tossed up, full and on middle, Will Young lofts it away but not with much timing. The batters think it will go away, a few Kiwi fans and the dressing room start celebrating, but it slows down in the outfield as mid on mops it up. Only a single taken!

Full, on off, Will Young knocks it down to long on and takes a single. New Zealand just 3 runs away now!

Flatter, full and on leg, stay low. Will Young moves back to work it away but misses.