New Zealand dominated the first innings of 1st Test as they bowled out Team India merely at a score of 46. Only Rishabh Pant (20) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (13) crossed over into the double figure mark, and Matt Henry and Will O’Rourke completely rattled the batting of the hosts. Henry picked five wickets and O’Rourke took four. No less notably, Virat Kohli, Sarfaraz Khan, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, and R. Ashwin were all caught down the leg side for ducks. The batting line-up underwent a complete overhaul with Kohli accommodated at No. 3 as he advanced one step up from his preferred No. 4 spot. Shubman Gill, coming in at No. 3, has been excluded from this match with a stiff neck. Former Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik responded to head coach Gautam Gambhir, who said Kohli is best suited at No. 4.

Virat Kohli Best Suites For No.4 In Tests: Opines Karthik

“I am not protecting Virat Kohli. He has the temperament and technique of some of the greatest batters that have ever played. If I make a change, it is because I believe that player will do well there, not because I want to protect Virat Kohli. He walks in at no. 3 in every ODI, he opens in T20, now you can say the ball is different, it’s not moving as much, 100 percent, in Test cricket where is the best suited place for Virat Kohli, no. 4.” Dinesh Karthik said on Cricbuzz

Dinesh Karthik Slams Gautam Gambhir’s Decision

“Commendable on Virat Kohli also, he could have easily said, ‘no, let me bat at four, because you can put KL Rahul or Sarfaraz Khan at three.’ Coach would have said, ‘fine, I will manage that conversation.’ The fact that he said, ‘no, I am happy to go at three,’ tells you the mindset. Results are one thing, obviously it hasn’t gone his way today, but just the fact that India is at a place where people are willing to adapt and at the same time give respect to what the coach thinks, I won’t say it is the right decision. I still feel personally KL should have batted at three, that’s what I feel, that’s different. But I definitely don’t follow Gambhir’s thinking of let’s have the same batting order, so that there’s consistency in their thought process and eventually the results will come out,” he added.

India’s Batting Crumbled Against New Zealand

The first Test between India and New Zealand got underway, with the weather not in favour on Day 1, the situation changed on day 2 as both the skippers came out for the toss and the Indian team captain Rohit Sharma elected to bat first but the decision did not go their way. India had already lost 3 crucial wickets before lunch.

The very first delivery of the second session was a shocker for Team India as Matt Henry caught Ravichandran Ashwin for a duck. Matt Henry did wonders for the New Zealand team as he also sent back Rishabh Pant (20) and Ravindra Jadeja (0).

Going further Jasprit Bumrah was dismissed by William O’Rourke at a mere score of 1.

Following which the last wicket also fell in succession as Kuldeep Yadav was dismissed by Matt Henry. This marked five-wickets for Matt Henry in the very first Test against India.