IND vs NZ 1st Test: New Zealand clinch historic win with Rachin Ravindra and Will Young resilience

New Zealand won the first Test against India by chasing down the target of 107 runs in under 28 overs (Image BCCI)

A resilient display of batting by Will Young, coupled with another sparkling innings from Rachin Ravindra, helped New Zealand chase down the target of 107 runs in under 28 overs with eight wickets to spare, securing their first Test win in India in 36 years and taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. The pair forged an unbeaten 72-run partnership after Jasprit Bumrah’s new-ball spell threatened to turn the game in India’s favour.

There was a rain delay, but not a long one, as the game resumed at 10:15 local time. Tom Latham, who looked tentative on the fourth evening, was soon caught in Bumrah’s trap. His first ball was an outswinger that moved sharply off a crack, sowing a seed of doubt in Latham's mind. The next delivery, from the same spot, came in with the angle, trapping Latham in front. It was a classic Bumrah setup for the left-hander: one away, one coming back in. India had struck in the first over, knowing that they needed to make full use of the new hard SG ball.

With moisture in the air, the ball was moving both ways for Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. Devon Conway, who had scored 91 in the first innings, was feeling the pressure and looked uncomfortable at the crease against both pacers. Bowling from over the wicket, they forced the left-hand batter into loose drives, often beating the outside edge. Conway was hopping around the crease as deliveries from a good length either leapt up or stayed low from the same spot. Somehow, he managed to stay at the crease and rebuild with Young.

While Conway was struggling, Young appeared more assured. There were chirps all around him – sometimes from Sarfaraz Khan, sometimes from Virat Kohli and Siraj – but those didn’t unsettle him. Batting in Kane Williamson’s No. 3 position, he displayed remarkable composure. Despite the extended spells given to Bumrah and Siraj, they couldn’t trouble the right-hand batter. Rohit Sharma’s decision to give Bumrah a longer spell paid off when Conway was eventually dismissed.

However, in his seventh over, Bumrah’s legs tired, and once Ravindra, New Zealand’s first-innings centurion, arrived, he struck two boundaries in his first three balls – one through third man and another through mid-wicket.

With the pacers removed from the attack, Ravindra adopted a proactive approach against the spinners. Ravindra Jadeja was the first spinner introduced, aiming to exploit the rough outside the left-handers off stump, but the slowness of the pitch made it easier for both Ravindra and Young to play spin. Ravindra, in particular, was in a hurry, attacking the spinners from the outset. Anything loose, and he was quick to pounce on it.

The ineffectiveness of spin in the fourth innings was surprising, but even more surprising was seeing Ravichandran Ashwin being used as the last recognized bowler by Rohit. Ashwin was only brought into the attack when New Zealand needed just 10 runs to win, by which time the game was effectively over.