5 worst collapses by New Zealand against India in Tests

New Zealand are not a team that attract a lot of attention, but they always tend to punch above their weights and exceed most expectations. Also, India-New Zealand has always been a close contest. Though the results might not reflect that, the Blackcaps have generally fought hard against India.

Out of the 20 Test series both teams have played against each other, India have won 11, New Zealand have won 5, while 4 of them have ended in a draw. However, the Blackcaps have faltered on quite a few occasions with the bat and have collapsed. Thus, here we look at 5 worst collapses by the Kiwis against India in Test cricket.

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#5 159 & 164 – Hyderabad, 2012

In 2012, the Kiwis visited India for a short tour. The tour comprised of 2 Tests and 2 T20Is. This Test series was India’s first series without two of their biggest stalwarts – Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman.

After winning the toss and batting first, India posted 438. Cheteshwar Pujara scored a superb 159 while Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni registered half-centuries. However, Ravichandran Ashwin and Pragyan Ojha spun a web around the New Zealand batsmen as they took 18 wickets in the match to help India register an innings win.

In the first innings, four of New Zealand’s top six got off to starts but none of them could convert them into a big score. Ashwin took 6/31 while Ojha took 3/44, as the Kiwis were dismissed for just 159. With 279 runs in the bank, India opted to enforce the follow-on. A similar pattern followed as Ashwin and Ojha ran riot to help India gain a 1-0 lead.

Ashwin finished with 12 wickets in the game as he took another 6-fer (6/54) in the second innings.

#4 124 – Hyderabad, 1988

Narendra Hirwani in action

In 1988, India and New Zealand squared off against each other in a Test match after more than 7 years. Their last series was the Kiwis’ first Test series win over India.

Even in the series in 1988 (which was in India), after India took lead in the first Test, New Zealand hit back with a resounding 172-run victory in the second Test to take the series into the deciding third Test. In the series-deciding Test, the visitors won the toss and elected to bat first in Hyderabad. On the back of an unbeaten 90 from No. 4 Mark Greatbatch, New Zealand posted 254 in their first innings. Sanjeev Sharma took 3 wickets while spinners Narendra Hirwani and Arshad Ayub shared 6 wickets between them.

India, in reply, took a 104-run lead as they scored 358. Kris Srikkanth (69) and Mohammed Azharuddin (81) scored half-centuries and other batsmen got starts as India went past the first innings total of New Zealand.

In the second innings, New Zealand collapsed dramatically as they were bundled out for just 124. They did get a solid start as the openers put on 49 runs for the opening wicket but the other batsmen failed to handle the pressure. Only 3 batsmen reached double figures as Kapil Dev, Arshad Ayub and Narendra Hirwani took 3 wickets apiece. Skipper John Wright was the top-scorer for the Kiwis (62). India then wiped off the 21-run target to take the series 2-1.

#3 145 – Bangalore, 1995

Anil Kumble was outstanding in that Bangalore Test where he took 9 wickets.

In 1995, Bangalore was the venue for the first Test in the 3-match series. New Zealand won the toss and batted first. But their tour got off to the worst possible start as their batsmen failed to deliver.

The Kiwis were bowled out for 145 as the Karnataka pair of Anil Kumble (4/39) and Javagal Srinath (3/24) ran through New Zealand batting line-up. In reply, Indian batsmen fared a little better than their counterparts as they eked out an 81-run lead. Mohammed Azharuddin was the top-scorer (87) in the total of 228.

New Zealand faltered again with the bat as they managed only 233 setting India a 4th innings target of 151. Ajay Jadeja’s 73 helped India overhaul a tricky target and India took a 1-0 lead in the 3-Test match series.

#2 105 – Auckland, 2014

The New Zealand team rejoice after winning the first Test.

After losing the 5-match ODI series 4-0, India started the two-match Test series on a bright note. After winning the toss and fielding first on a greenish surface, India reduced New Zealand to 30/3. But a terrific partnership between Kane Williamson (113) and Brendon McCullum (224) helped the hosts post a mammoth first innings total of 503. Ishant Sharma starred with the ball taking 6/134.

The pace trio of Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Neil Wagner then dismantled the Indian batting line-up as the visitors were bundled out for 202. With a lead of more than 300 runs and a lot of time left in the game, McCullum didn’t enforce the follow-on.

Being a long way behind in the game, the Indian bowlers ripped through New Zealand's batting line-up. Zaheer Khan, Mohammed Shami and Ishant Sharma shared 8 wickets as the hosts were bowled out for a mere 105. This collapse robbed the hosts all the momentum that they had before the innings started.

India carried forward the momentum they gained and fought valiantly. However, they fell 40 runs short of what would’ve been a memorable win.

#1 94 – Hamilton, 2002

Zaheer Khan led India's fightback but unfortunately, India didn't capitalize.

In 2002, India went to New Zealand on the back of some strong performances. But they faltered badly in the first Test as the hosts beat them comprehensively (by 10 wickets).

In the second Test, New Zealand won the toss and opted to bowl first on a spicy wicket under overcast conditions (after the first day was washed out due to rain). Shane Bond (4/39), Daryl Tuffey (4/12) and Jacob Oram (2/22) made use of the conditions and shot India out for only 99.

With favourable conditions, Indian bowlers responded in style as the hosts were bowled out for just 94 and India eked out a slender 5-run lead. Zaheer Khan bowled brilliantly to scalp the second five-wicket haul of his career (also his second of the series). Ashish Nehra and Harbhajan Singh complemented him brilliantly as the bowlers helped India make a comeback in the game.

However, India couldn’t capitalize on this advantage as they failed once again with the bat (fourth consecutive time in the series) and were bowled out for 154. New Zealand then chased the target of 160 with four wickets in hand and took an unbeatable lead of 2-0.