Fri Oct 18 01:06:31 UTC 2024: ## New Zealand Dominate Day 2 in Bengaluru Test, India in Dire Straits
**Bengaluru, India:** New Zealand continued their dominance on Day 2 of the first Test against India, taking a commanding 134-run lead at stumps. Opener Devon Conway top-scored for the visitors with a brilliant 91, while Daryl Mitchell and Rachin Ravindra remained unbeaten at the close of play.
Earlier, India’s batting collapse continued, as they were bundled out for a paltry 46 runs, their lowest Test score at home, thanks to a sensational five-wicket haul from Matt Henry.
India’s captain Rohit Sharma, who won the toss and opted to bat first, admitted to a misjudgment on the pitch, which ultimately proved disastrous for his team.
“We thought the pitch would be flatter, it was a misjudgement on my part,” he said in the post-match press conference.
The hosts were left reeling early on, losing wickets at regular intervals. Virat Kohli, who returned to bat at number 3 after an eight-year absence, was dismissed for a duck.
New Zealand’s bowlers exploited the conditions perfectly, extracting considerable bounce and movement off the pitch. They kept India’s batters on the back foot throughout the day, limiting them to just a handful of runs.
With the pitch showing signs of turn, India will need a miracle to salvage the Test. They will be hoping for a much-improved performance from their batters in the second innings, and a more disciplined approach from their bowlers.
The match has been a nightmare for India, and a potential setback to their hopes of qualifying for the World Test Championship final. New Zealand, on the other hand, are well-placed to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Day 3 promises to be an interesting affair, with India needing a strong comeback to avoid a heavy defeat.
First Piper 