India captain Rohit Sharma's frustration boiled over on Day 1 of the first Test against New Zealand when he was seen shouting at teammate Sarfaraz Khan for being out of position while fielding. The video, which quickly went viral on social media, shows Rohit expressing his displeasure in strong terms toward Sarfaraz, with whom he shares a close bond as both are from Mumbai.
The incident came during a particularly challenging day for India, which was bowled out for a paltry 46 runs – their lowest-ever total in a home Test. New Zealand's bowling attack, led by Tim Southee, William O'Rourke, and Matt Henry, exploited the overcast conditions and damp pitch to dismantle the Indian batting lineup.
Rohit Sharma's outburst reflected the tense atmosphere within the Indian team. With India desperately searching for early wickets against New Zealand's opening pair, Tom Latham and Devon Conway, the team's fielders appeared to be on edge.
The Indian batting collapse began early, with Rohit Sharma himself falling victim to Southee in the first hour of play. India's decision to bat first backfired as the pitch, covered for days due to rain, offered significant assistance to the New Zealand seamers.
Five Indian batsmen – Virat Kohli, Sarfaraz Khan, Ravindra Jadeja, KL Rahul, and R Ashwin – were dismissed for ducks.
New Zealand's bowlers capitalized on the favorable conditions, tearing through the Indian lineup with ruthless efficiency.
On Day 2, New Zealand continued their dominance, ending the day at 180 for 3, holding a commanding lead of 134 runs. Devon Conway led the way with an impressive 91 off 105 balls, while Rachin Ravindra (22*) and Daryl Mitchell (14*) remained unbeaten at the crease when bad light brought play to a halt.
The Indian bowlers, including Ravindra Jadeja, managed to secure only three wickets, with Jadeja taking 1 for 28. New Zealand's powerful performance has left India in a precarious position, desperately seeking early breakthroughs to turn the tide in their favour.
Brief Score:
- India: 46 (Rishabh Pant 20; Matt Henry 5-15, William O'Rourke 4-22)
- New Zealand: 180/3 (Devon Conway 91, Will Young 33; Ravindra Jadeja 1/28)