Published By: Sayan Guha

IND vs. NZ Test: India in Trouble as New Zealand Strike Early: A Flashback to India’s Last Early Six-Wicket Collapse Against the Kiwis

A stark reminder of the past as India faces an uphill battle in the opening Test after a rain-affected start

A washed-out Day 1, a shaky start, and an early collapse – India’s first Test against New Zealand brings back memories of a similar struggle years ago

India finds itself in troubled waters yet again, this time at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, against a spirited New Zealand side. After a rain-soaked opening day, Day 2 began with a sense of anticipation, but what followed has left Indian fans reeling. Currently, India is at 33 for 6, staring down the barrel with a series of early wickets falling like a deck of cards.

Rohit Sharma’s decision to bat first seems like a distant memory. With him back in the pavilion for just 2 runs, along with big names like Virat Kohli (0), KL Rahul (0), Sarfaraz Khan (0), Yashasvi Jaiswal (13), and Ravindra Jadeja (0), India is left searching for answers.

But wait, this isn’t the first time India has crumbled so quickly against New Zealand. Let’s rewind to a Test match many might have forgotten, but the patterns are eerily similar.

Flashback to 1969: When wickets tumbled early

If the present struggle sounds familiar, that’s because it echoes a similar scenario from October 1969 in Hyderabad, when India found itself in an equally precarious situation against the Kiwis.

The 3rd Test of that series had New Zealand batting first, managing to post a modest 181 in their first innings. India, perhaps confident of surpassing that total, walked into bat – but the top order had other plans. Within just a few overs, the Indian line-up was reduced to 27 for 6!

Names like Ajit Wadekar, Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, and M.L. Jaisimha couldn’t stand up to the bowling might of Dayle Hadlee and Bob Cunis. In a matter of moments, India’s batting hopes were shattered, and they were bundled out for just 89. The collapse left the team licking its wounds, much like what we’re witnessing today.

Déjà Vu: Bengaluru’s struggles reminiscent of Hyderabad

Today’s Bengaluru collapse feels like history repeating itself. Six Indian wickets have fallen for a paltry 33 runs, and much like 1969, the pace and swing of the Kiwis have done the damage. Rohit Sharma, the captain, fell cheaply, and the usually dependable Virat Kohli was caught off guard for a duck. KL Rahul, hoping to steady the ship, walked back for nothing, while Jaiswal and Sarfaraz Khan couldn’t muster much either.

Jadeja, often India’s rescue act, followed soon after, leaving the Indian lower order with a mountain to climb.

The 1969 Escape – Lessons from the past

Back in 1969, India wasn’t done yet. Despite being bowled out for 89 in the first innings, they put up a valiant fight in the second. The Kiwis, after scoring 175/8 declared in their second innings, set India a target of 268 to win.

But once again, India’s top order faltered. Despite steady knocks from players like Wadekar (14) and Gandotra (15), India was 50/6. However, some gritty resistance from Solkar (13 not out) and a stubborn 25 from Venkataraghavan ensured that India did not lose, as they ended the match at 76/7, drawing the game.

While it wasn’t a win, India showed they could fight, even when the odds were stacked against them.

Can India turn the tide in Bengaluru?

Now, the question looms large: Can India pull off another escape? Or will New Zealand finally gain the upper hand in a country that has not won a Test series since 1988?

As Day 2 unfolds, India will need to dig deep. With their top guns back in the pavilion, the responsibility now lies on the lower order to fight and possibly mount a comeback. The memories of that Hyderabad Test remind us that it’s not over until the last ball is bowled.