Twitter Reactions: New Zealand tumble but far from crumble, register first Test win in India in 36 years

With only 107 runs to chase, New Zealand were the favourite to win the Bengaluru Test. Only rain was their biggest threat, disrupting the morning session but not completely. The game started an hour late and it felt like a mountain to climb for team India but the ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah picked up a wicket in his second ball of the day, giving the hosts the necessary momentum and the hope of a phenomenal comeback. 

Devon Conway and Will Young brought New Zealand back into the contest with a cluster of boundaries and with that, the momentum was slowly drifting away from the Rohit Sharma-led side. However, it was once again Bumrah, who produced a moment of brilliance, picking up the wicket of Conway to bring back the belief in the Indian camp. Conway departed for 17 runs but since then, nothing has gone in favour of the Indians.

The duo of Young and Rachin Ravindra looked extremely comfortable in dealing with the Indian spinners and they batted at a good pace, keeping the rain in mind. Eventually, Rachin scored 39* and Young made 45* runs to help New Zealand win the game by eight wickets. 

This was also New Zealand’s first Test win in eight months. They lost 0-2 against Australia and 2-0 against Sri Lanka before coming to India for the three-match Test series. After a horrific time in Sri Lanka, Tim Southee stepped down as captain as Tom Latham was appointed for the full-time role. There were even doubts if Southee would make it to New Zealand’s playing XI in the series against India.

However, he played an extremely crucial knock of 65 runs in the first innings and his partnership of 137 runs with Rachin made a massive difference in the outcome of the game. The scenario could have been different if India restricted them early in the first innings. Overall, it has been a game of ifs and buts for India. They now have an uphill task to win the Pune and Mumbai Tests to win the series, which is vital keeping the World Test Championship final in mind.

Here's how X reacted to final day of the first IND vs NZ Test:

Bumrah class dismissing Conway, but you have to give credit to Ravindra, two boundaries off his next three balls. #INDvNZ

— Brad Hogg (@Brad_Hogg) October 20, 2024

Not enough has been said about druv jurel’s wicket keeping . He has been brilliant behind the stumps. Good technique. Saved a few runs certainly.#INDvsNZ 🇮🇳

— Shreevats goswami (@shreevats1) October 20, 2024

New Zealand Defeated India in India for first time in 36 years👍🏻✅

— HASHIM BUTT (@Hashim__Butt) October 20, 2024

Newzealand defeated India by 8 wickets in first test match...#INDvsNZ pic.twitter.com/CTTAEfTmQz

— Abhi tiwari (@AbhiTiw39925637) October 20, 2024

After 36 Years New Zealand won the Test Match in India..#INDvsNZ

— Adeel Shah (@adeelhaider018) October 20, 2024

🚨 HISTORY AT CHINNASWAMY...!!! 🚨

- New Zealand won their first ever Test match in India in 36 years. 🤯#INDvNZ #RIPLiamPayne #AvinashMishra #MUFC #yahyasinwar #Silver #YIBO85 #HallelujahChallenge2024 #zerobaseone #فلسطين pic.twitter.com/GGJvkJhuCX

— Cricket lover 🇮🇳🇮🇳 (@I_am_Unkar007) October 20, 2024

🚨 HISTORY AT CHINNASWAMY 🚨

NEW ZEALAND DEFEATED INDIA IN INDIA IN A TEST AFTER 36 YEARS. pic.twitter.com/2yuyYqWNEl

— Himanshu Ladha (@HimanshuLadha8) October 20, 2024

New Zealand defeated India, they won by 8 wickets in Bengaluru.

Congratulations Kiwis on the win! 👏

Tough one for India but they will surely bounce back in the next Test in Pune. 🇮🇳👊#INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/XVcVOqtqOt

— Saabir Zafar (@Saabir_Saabu01) October 20, 2024

NEW ZEALAND's TEST WINS IN INDIA

IN 1969 AT NAGPUR
IN 1988 AT WANKHEDE
IN 2024 AT BENGALURU#INDvNZ #NZvIND

— Abhishek Kumar (@abhik2593) October 20, 2024