Tim Southee smashes Virender Sehwag's record after explosive show in Bengaluru Test

Tim Southee smashes Virender Sehwag's record after explosive show in Bengaluru Test

The first Test between India and New Zealand at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru has seen the visitors dictate proceedings from the word go. It started with the pace trio of Tim Southee, Matt Henry, and William O'Rourke running through the Indian line-up. Exploiting the overcast conditions in Bengaluru the pacers helped New Zealand pack India for 46 in the first innings, which was the country's third lowest total in Tests.

New Zealand then frustrated India with the bat as powerful knocks by Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway helped the tourists pile a massive 402 on the board, which gave them a healthy 356-run lead. Ravindra finished with 134 off 157 balls, while Conway, who was dismissed on Day 2, added 91(105) to New Zealand's mammoth total.

The New Zealand innings also saw a century-plus stand between Tim Southee and Ravindra after India resumed Day 3 on a strong note. India tried to gain some control after being completely blown in the previous day.  Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah injected early blows, Ravindra Jadeja then joined the party with two scalps and it felt India would restrict New Zealand below 300 to give themselves an outside chance.

However, what came next left the hosts completely frustrated as Southee and Ravindra added 137 runs for the eighth wicket at a brisk pace. Southee in the process also completed his half-century and was eventually dismissed by Siraj for 65(73). The tail-ender's innings was laced with five boundaries and four maximums.

Southee's heroics saw him smash a major Virender Sehwag's record as he now sits above the destructive opener in the list of players with most sixes in Tests. The Kiwi cricketer now has 93 sixes under his name, two more than India's legendary batter. In fact, Southee is placed sixth in the list, which is headed by England captain Ben Stokes, who has a total of 131 sixes.

Batters with most sixes in Test

Southee and Ravindra scored at a run-rate of 6.27, which is the second highest in a 100-plus run partnership against India in Tests.

It is also the second highest eighth-wicket or lower partnership against India at their home.

Meanwhile, this is also the joint highest eighth wicket or lower partnership for New Zealand against India. Daniel Vettori and Dion Nash have previously added 137 runs at Wellington in 1998.