Like many other cricketing nations, New Zealand does not have a strong red-ball record in India, with their last Test victory there occurring in 1988. However, they are currently challenging the Indian team during the first Test at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
After dismissing Rohit Sharma and his teammates for a record-low total of 46 runs in the first innings, New Zealand has built a substantial lead, making a loss seem unlikely.
Till date, New Zealand has played 36 Tests in India, starting with a four-match series in 1955. They have only secured two victories, while India has won 17 times, and the remaining 17 matches have ended in draws.
New Zealand’s last Test victory in India occurred in 1988 at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, where they won by 136 runs under the captaincy of John Wright, who later became the head coach of Team India in the early 2000s.
In their first innings, the visitors scored 236 runs, aided by Ravi Shastri’s four-wicket haul. India responded with 234 runs, thanks to Kris Srikkanth’s 94. New Zealand set a target of 282 for the hosts, who were all out for 145 in their final innings, with John Bracewell achieving impressive figures of 6 for 51.
The bowling all-rounder, who is also the uncle of Michael Bracewell (currently on the New Zealand bench in Bengaluru), was named player of the match for taking eight wickets and scoring a vital fifty in the first innings.
New Zealand has suffered seven losses in their last eight Tests in India
During the 2000s, New Zealand had several draws but fell victim to the increasing dominance of the Indian red-ball team starting in 2010. Between 2010 and 2021, New Zealand lost seven Tests in India, some by significant margins, and managed to draw only one Test, which occurred in Kanpur two years ago.
The Tom Latham-led team is now favored to change their fortunes after their recent whitewash against Sri Lanka. Rachin Ravindra’s century and Tim Southee’s quick runs have allowed New Zealand to extend their lead to 299 at lunch on Day 3.
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