xtratime Logo

Xtra Time Web Desk: Team India has faced a shock defeat against New Zealand in the first Test of the three-match series at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The visitors dominated the proceedings for most of the game and won the match convincingly by eight wickets.

While the game had some positive aspects, Indian management will be concerned about the weaknesses of the batting line-up that were exposed during the match's first innings. Here is a look at how the Indian players performed in the match.

Yashasvi Jaiswal - 5/10

Innings - 2, Runs - 48, Average: 24.00

The young Indian batter tried to fight the odds in the first innings. However, Yashasvi Jaiswal failed to capitalise after doing the hard work. In the second innings, Jaiswal gave the team a good start but threw away his wicket when he could have stretched the knock. 

Read More: IND vs NZ: After 1988, New Zealand break 36-year drought with Bengaluru Test triumph

Rohit Sharma - 4/10

Innings - 2, Runs - 54, Average - 27.00

The Indian skipper failed to deliver in the first innings. Rohit Sharma took a positive approach in the second innings and scored a well-compiled half-century. However, he threw away his wicket after getting settled and left the team wanting at that stage. Besides his batting, Rohit's captaincy looked average in the game. From reading the conditions wrong to the lack of proactive bowling changes in the second innings, his leadership lacked the intent to win the game.

Virat Kohli - 6/10

Innings - 2, Runs - 72, Average - 36.00

The star Indian batter struggled at number three in the first innings. But in the second innings, Virat Kohli showed resilience under pressure and played a massive role in the small comeback that the team staged in the game. 

Sarfaraz Khan - 9/10

Innings - 2, Runs - 150, Average - 75.00

The young Indian batter was easily the best in the line-up in this match. Sarfaraz Khan played a brilliant knock under pressure scored 150 and was at the centre of India's fight in the second innings. 

Read More: IND vs NZ: "KL Rahut should be dropped", Fans' angry reactions circulating on social media

Rishabh Pant - 8/10

Innings - 2, Runs - 119, Average - 59.50

The Indian wicket-keeper batter was the only positive in the first innings. Even though Rishabh Pant scored only 20 runs, he looked to put up a fight while things were going south for the team. In the second innings, Pant joined hands with Sarfaraz and, at one point, put India ahead in the game with his heavy knee injury. 

KL Rahul - 1/10

Innings - 2, Runs - 12, Average - 6.00

KL Rahul failed to deliver the resistance expected of him in the middle order in either innings of the game. His failure to show application triggered the collapse in the second innings, which ultimately led to India's loss.

Ravindra Jadeja - 3/10

Innings - 2, Runs - 5, Wickets taken - 3

The Indian all-rounder was another player who failed to meet the expectations with the bat. Ravindra Jadeja was decent with the ball in the first innings, but his batting effort left the team wanting under pressure. 

Ravichandran Ashwin - 2/10

Innings - 2, Runs - 15, Wickets Taken - 1

Ravi Ashwin was the star for India in the series against Bangladesh. However, in this game, Ashwin failed to deliver either with the bat or the ball. One may point out that Rohit Sharma underused him in the second innings, yet it will go down as one of the off games for the all-rounder. 

Kuldeep Yadav - 3/10

Innings -2, Runs Conceded - 125, Wickets taken - 3

India selected the left-arm wrist spinner to add an X-factor to the bowling line-up. Kuldeep Yadav picked up three wickets in the first innings but failed to add the extra spice that was expected of him to the Indian bowling. 

Jasprit Bumrah - 7/10

Innings - 2, Runs conceded - 70, Wickets taken - 3

The ace Indian pacer was one of the few positives the team can take from this game. Jasprit Bumrah was the only one who looked potent and created pressure on the Kiwi batters whenever he came into the attack.

Mohammed Siraj - 2/10
Innings - 2, Runs conceded - 100, Wickets taken - 2

Mohammed Siraj looked good in patches. However, in some cases, he conceded runs and released the pressure from New Zealand. Though he looked like a better bowler than in the Bangladesh series, he struggled to find his rhythm.