October 25: After getting robbed by the overcast conditions in Bengaluru, the Indian batters found themselves biting the dust against New Zealand on a turning Pune track. Rohit Sharma & Co could not withstand the challenge posed by Mitchell Santner as the hosts were bundled out for 156 in 45.3 overs, giving the visitors a crucial first-innings lead of 103 runs on the second day of the second Test.
The left-arm spinner scalped 7 for 53 while part-time spinner Glenn Phillip picked up two to demolish India’s star-studded batting lineup in less than two sessions. Ravindra Jadeja top-scored with 48 while Yashasvi Jasiwal and Shubman Gill contributed with 30 runs each.
Former New Zealand cricketer Ian Smith showed no mercy to India following their shambolic show in Pune. His on-air rant came when Sarfaraz got out. The Mumbai batter looked to take the aerial route but ended up holing out to William ORourke to Mid-off.
Smith condemned India’s batting approach on a track which required the batters to stay and negate the challenges. He said the batting collapse the hosts had was worse than getting all for 46 in Bengaluru.
“Well, this is worse than 46 all out if you ask me,” Smith said while calling the game.
Mitchell Santner Shines as New Zealand Takes Control in Pune Test
“This is some poor batting and shot selection. I can understand the first Test, but instead of playing themselves in, batting for time, India for some reason, are going after the bowling. They think they can just bash this New Zealand bowling line-up. This is only Day 2 of the Test match. There is ample time to go but the way India are playing, none of them are going to be here that long,” he added.
India’s star-studded batting line-up could not stand up to the challenge posed by New Zealand as the hosts were bundled out for 156 in 45.3 overs, giving the Tom Latham-led side a crucial first-innings lead of 103 runs. Left-arm spinner Santner (7/53 in 19.3 overs) and off-spinner Glenn Phillips (2/26 in 6 overs) took nine wickets to demolish India after the hosts had looked comfortable at 50 for one.
Santner, Latham give NZ a shot at maiden series win in India; NZ captain scored 86 after Santner bagged 7 for 53, with visitors ending day two 301 runs ahead
Eventually, New Zealand 259 and 198 for 5 (Latham 86, Blundell 30*, Washington 4-56) lead India 156 (Jadeja 38, Santner 7-53, Phillips 2-26) by 301 runs
New Zealand took massive strides towards doing the unthinkable: not just their first Test series win in India, but also India’s first series defeat at home in 12 years. Mitchell Santner, never four wickets in an innings before this Test, and with just one first-class five-for to his name, tied India to the crease and took seven wickets to bowl India out for 156. The batters, led by Tom Latham, did some efficient front-running by attacking the Indian spinners to end the day with a lead of 301 runs with five wickets in hand.
