India suffered a disappointing loss against New Zealand in the first match of the ongoing Test series. While the batting order failed to cross the 200 run mark in either innings, the hosts secured a walk in the park 10 wicket victory yesterday at the Basin Reserve cricket ground in Wellington. Coming from a 3-0 ODI whitewash, Team India’s tour of New Zealand is on a decline, and the reason behind it is well explained by none other than former iconic Kiwi all rounder Craig McMillan.
It is well known that beating New Zealand on their own home turf in red ball cricket is a tough job, and it was proven in the first test, on top of a lacklustre batting performance from Team India. Kohli and the squad struggled against an overpowering Kiwi bowling attack, only totalling up 165 and 191 in both innings.
On the other hand, the hosts were able to stack up an astounding total of 348 in the first innings, which helped them chase down the 9 run target yesterday without losing a single wicket.
In a podcast with New Zealand sports radio network Radio Sport, Craig McMillan gave his two cents on India’s bland spell, emphasising on the different pitch behaviours that the Men in Blues are habituated on their home, and how India didn’t adapt to the scenario.
“They didn’t make any adjustments in the way they played, they threw their hands at the ball like they do in India,” McMillan said in the interview.
“When the ball doesn’t bounce above knee high you can get away with some of those shots – in New Zealand you don’t.”
Except opener Mayank Agarwal’s appreciable half century in the second innings, the Indian batsmen were devastated against a fierce Black Caps bowling squad, led by Tim Southee.
The 31 year old secured a total of 9 wickets across the Test, with a 5 wicket haul in the second innings yesterday. Trent Boult also picked up a total of 5 wickets, and McMillan praised his compatriots for their stunning performance. He continued: “When the ball’s swinging, and it did for most of that Wellington Test, Boult and Southee are geniuses.”
The 43 year concluded: “I haven’t seen India, the number one Test side in the world, dismantled like they were over those four days in Wellington,” expressing his concern on the no. 1 ICC Test team’s rout in the first Test that lasted from 21st to 24th February.
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