The Pune crowd was left stunned as Virat Kohli fell for just 1 run in the morning session of the ongoing Test match against New Zealand. As India resumed their innings on Day 2, they quickly lost Shubman Gill, who contributed 30 runs before being dismissed.
As the second day of the India-New Zealand Test series progressed, New Zealand asserted its dominance, exploiting a crumbling pitch and sharp bowling tactics to leave India in a dire situation at 107 for 7. India now trails New Zealand’s first innings total of 259 by 152 runs.
New Zealand’s spirited bowling attack was spearheaded by Mitchell Santner, who took four wickets for just 36 runs in a stellar display of spin. The morning session saw a rapid collapse of India’s batting lineup, as New Zealand’s tight field placements and disciplined bowling broke through India’s defenses.
The day began with India hopeful for a steady start, but the conditions soon proved challenging as New Zealand’s bowlers adapted effectively. The Pune pitch, dry and cracked, significantly aided Santner’s left-arm orthodox spin, making life difficult for the Indian openers.
After a cautious beginning, the first blow came when Santner dismissed Shubman Gill for 23 runs, trapping him lbw with a ball that skidded low and sharply into his pads. Gill’s dismissal opened the floodgates, exposing India’s middle order to Santner’s relentless spin and accurate variations.
The veteran New Zealand bowler exhibited masterful control, focusing on an impeccable line just outside off stump and mixing up his flight and length to keep the Indian batters guessing. This strategy bore fruit when Indian captain Virat Kohli misjudged a low full toss, getting bowled through the gate for a single.
Kohli’s early exit sent a wave of nervous energy through the Indian camp, placing immense pressure on the middle order to stabilize the innings. New Zealand’s disciplined attack was further bolstered by Glenn Phillips, who dismissed the aggressive Rishabh Pant. Pant was caught off guard by a delivery that slid past his inside edge and hit the stumps.
By now, New Zealand’s well-planned bowling strategy had reduced India to 84 for 5, with Pant’s departure marking a critical blow to India’s hopes of a counterattack. Attempting to halt the free fall, Sarfaraz Khan and Ravindra Jadeja sought to apply damage control, yet both succumbed to the mounting pressure.
Sarfaraz, known for his resilience, played a few controlled shots but fell to Santner’s deceptive flight, skying a catch to mid-off while attempting a lofted drive. Meanwhile, Ravichandran Ashwin, India’s last recognized batter, misread another of Santner’s deliveries and was given out lbw after a quick DRS review upheld the umpire’s decision.
With India’s top and middle order back in the pavilion, Jadeja and Washington Sundar now remain as the last bastion for India, left with the daunting task of bridging a significant deficit. New Zealand’s bowlers, visibly energized, looked to tighten the screws and capitalize on India’s vulnerable tail.
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New Zealand’s exceptional performance in this innings underscores the quality of their spin attack, often overshadowed by their fast bowlers in Test series. Santner’s display of control and precision was instrumental in exploiting a pitch that rewarded disciplined spin. His well-crafted spells not only limited India’s scoring but also forced errors, ensuring New Zealand maintained control over the pace of play.
This collapse serves as a stark reminder of India’s susceptibility on turning pitches against quality spin, which New Zealand’s bowlers exploited to perfection. The series now seems poised for a potentially historic shift, as New Zealand inches closer to securing a breakthrough Test win in India—a rare feat last accomplished over two decades ago.
As the day nears its close, India’s hopes rest on Jadeja and Sundar’s ability to fend off the Kiwi attack and potentially set up a respectable total. However, with just three wickets in hand and New Zealand poised to maintain their aggressive stance, India faces an uphill battle to avoid a series defeat on home soil.
