Published By: Sayan Guha

IND vs. NZ Test: From Tension to Triumph: Revisting India’s Last Test Match Against New Zealand in Bengaluru

The 2012 Bengaluru Test was a perfect example of what makes cricket so thrilling—brilliant individual performances, tense moments, and a hard-fought contest

Fresh from a 2-0 series whitewash of Bangladesh under Rohit Sharma’s leadership, India’s cricket team is gearing up for their next big challenge. The Tom Latham-led New Zealand side is set to face India in a three-Test series, starting from October 16 at Bengaluru’s iconic M Chinnaswamy Stadium. The series will continue with the second Test in Pune from October 24-28 and conclude with the third match in Mumbai from November 1-5.

These two teams have shared many intense battles, none more thrilling than the last time they met at Bengaluru in a Test match back in 2012. As fans look forward to the upcoming series, let’s revisit that unforgettable contest, where the ‘MahiRat’ duo- Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni stitched together a crucial partnership to secure a memorable win.

Ross Taylor steals the show

New Zealand started their first innings with a determined intent, though it didn’t begin smoothly. Brendon McCullum fell for a duck after just five balls, trapped lbw by Zaheer Khan. This early blow might have worried the Kiwis, but their captain, Ross Taylor, had different plans.

Taylor led from the front, crafting a magnificent 113 off 127 balls, full of authoritative strokes. His partnership with Kruger van Wyk (71 off 100) helped steady New Zealand’s innings. The visitors posted a respectable total of 365, thanks mainly to Taylor’s commanding century and Doug Bracewell’s helpful 43.

Ross Taylor on his way to his century at Bengaluru // Picture Courtesy – ESPNcricinfo

However, India’s Pragyan Ojha turned out to be the star with the ball, bagging a five-wicket haul (5/99). He relentlessly troubled New Zealand’s middle order, removing the likes of Martin Guptill (53) and Kane Williamson (17), who couldn’t convert their starts. 

Virat’s century leads the charge

India’s reply began with a hiccup, losing Gautam Gambhir early for just 2 runs. The aggressive Virender Sehwag (43 off 60) tried to counter the Kiwi bowlers with his typical flashy strokes, but his dismissal left India at 67/3. Cheteshwar Pujara and Sachin Tendulkar couldn’t make significant contributions either, with Sachin bowled for 17 by Bracewell, who was having a good day with the ball.

Then came Virat Kohli’s moment. Walking into a tricky situation, Kohli played one of the most memorable innings of his career. He not only rescued India from a collapse but also displayed remarkable composure. Kohli’s 103 off 193 balls was a fine blend of patience and aggression, decorated with 14 boundaries and a six. He was well-supported by Suresh Raina (55 off 90) and MS Dhoni (62 off 94), who kept the momentum going.

Despite Tim Southee’s stunning seven-wicket haul (7/64), India managed to post 353 on the board, just 12 runs shy of New Zealand’s total.

Ashwin’s fifer strikes

The second innings saw New Zealand’s top order wobble once again. Martin Guptill fell early, and despite a brief cameo from McCullum (23 off 21), Umesh Yadav sent him packing, leaving New Zealand at 31/2. Kane Williamson (13) and Ross Taylor (35) couldn’t repeat their first-innings heroics as Pragyan Ojha and Ravichandran Ashwin tightened the noose around the Kiwi batting line-up.

Ashwin was lethal, picking up a five-wicket haul (5/69) and leaving New Zealand reeling. Despite James Franklin’s fighting 41 and van Wyk’s 31, New Zealand could only manage 248, setting India a target of 261 to win.

Kohli-Dhoni masterclass seals the win

Chasing 261 on a tricky pitch would take a lot of work. India’s openers, Sehwag and Gambhir, gave them a flying start, racing to 77 inside 12 overs before Jeetan Patel bowled Sehwag for a quickfire 38. Gambhir followed soon after, and when Tendulkar was dismissed for 27, India found themselves at 152/3.

The ‘MahiRat’ duo does it again for India // Picture Courtesy – Reuters

With 109 more runs needed, Kohli once again took charge. Though the Kiwis fought hard, quickly taking out Cheteshwar Pujara (48) and Suresh Raina (0), reducing India to 166/5, Kohli held his nerve. He played a measured knock of 51*, mixing caution with calculated aggression.

Dhoni started in his usual attacking style at the other end, smacking Patel for a six to ease the pressure. Together, Kohli and Dhoni forged a 96-run partnership that took India to the brink of victory. With the game hanging in the balance, Dhoni ended things in style, finishing with a four and a six in consecutive balls. His unbeaten 48 off 60 was just as crucial as Kohli’s fifty.

India chased down the target with 262/5, clinching the match and the series 2-0. Kohli was named the Player of the Match, while Ashwin’s 18 wickets earned him the Player of the Series award.