India’s horror show with the bat in the first innings of the Bengaluru Test against New Zealand sparked a meme fest on social media. On Thursday, October 17, India were bundled out for 46, the lowest Test total in the history of the sport in Asia and India’s lowest total at home by a big margin.
India had as many as five ducks in the line-up, including the likes of Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan and R Ashwin. Rishabh Pant top-scored with 20 on a scorecard that looked shambolic.
Also Read: India’s 46-all out in numbers
India paid the price for a few tactical blunders. On a pitch that was covered for the good part of the last three days and on an overcast morning, India won the toss and opted to bat. they also sent Virat Kohli to bat at No. 3 in the absence of injured Shubman Gill, tinkering with the batting line-up. None of the Indian batters, barring Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant, attempted to apply themselves and get used to the conditions as it was a procession of wickets.
IND v NZ, 1st Test Day 2 Updates from Bengaluru
Fast bowler Matt Henry picked up a five-wicket haul after sensational spells of fast bowling while tall pacer Will O’Rourke, playing his first Test in India, picked four wickets. It remained overcast throughout the Indian innings that lasted 31.2 overs, allowing the trio of New Zealand pacers, including Tim Southee, to enjoy the conditions.
Here’s how fans on social media reacted to the nightmarish batting show from India. From referring to RCB’s lowest total of 49 in the Indian Premier Leauge to cheekily lauding Mohammed Siraj for remaining unbeaten, the meme makers had a field day.
It was disappointing to see Indian batters, including the senior campaigners, failing to give themselves time to get used to the difficult batting conditions. While Kohli was undone by a delivery that bounced sharply from Will O’Rourke, the likes of Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, and Sarfaraz Khan could have avoided the shots that led to their dismissals.