"That is a massive accomplishment" - Aakash Chopra on New Zealand seamers taking 17 wickets in IND vs NZ 2024 1st Test

Aakash Chopra has termed the New Zealand seamers' 17-wicket haul a 'massive accomplishment' in the first Test against India in Bengaluru. He pointed out that spinners are generally expected to call the shots in Indian conditions.

New Zealand completed an eight-wicket win on Sunday, October 20, to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Matt Henry (8), William O'Rourke (7), and Tim Southee (2) picked up 17 wickets between them as India were bowled out for 46 in their first innings. The hosts were bundled out for 462 in their second essay after being 408/3 at one stage.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel 'Aakash Chopra,' he credited the New Zealand seamers' performance as a major reason for their win.

"What did New Zealand do right? A telling fact was how would you try to win in India? You think you will win through spin only as there isn't that much help for fast bowlers here. In fact, you get an extra spinner and come with a lot of preparation. Their fast bowlers picked up 17 wickets. I think that is a massive accomplishment," he said (5:00).

The former India opener acknowledged that the conditions were seamer-friendly in the first innings. However, he pointed out that the Kiwi pacers ran through the Indian batting lineup with the second new ball in the second innings as well.

"It was still okay on the first day when 10 wickets fell as the ball was seaming and swinging. However, seven second-innings wickets also went to fast bowlers. The spinners took only three wickets. I thought that was a huge victory. We had less expectations of that happening," Chopra observed.

Chopra noted that Henry's sideways movement and O'Rourke's extra bounce troubled the Indian batters. He added that although Tim Southee might have taken only two wickets, he had control and dismissed Rohit Sharma in the first innings and the centurion Sarfaraz Khan in the second.

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"Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway's batting" - Aakash Chopra on the other factors behind New Zealand's win

In the same video, Aakash Chopra praised Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway, and Will Young for their 'excellent application' with the bat.

"Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway's batting, and Will Young in both the innings. I thought these three batters showed excellent application, that you can play and stay at the crease. They had a game plan against spin and they didn't surrender quickly. When you come from Sri Lanka, you don't get scared in these conditions," he said (5:55).

The reputed commentator also appreciated the visitors' discipline and fielding.

"That confidence was seen in this batting order. Another thing that makes this team different is their discipline and their catching. If you leave aside Tom Blundell, he made one or two blunders, they were diving and taking catches. I remember Devon Conway's catch in the first innings, Matt Henry's catch, and then Ajaz Patel," Chopra elaborated.

Conway took a sensational catch to dismiss Sarfaraz Khan in the first innings. Ajaz Patel and Matt Henry also held on to tough offerings to send Yashasvi Jaiswal and Jasprit Bumrah, respectively, back to the pavilion.