Santner and Latham Lead New Zealand to the Brink On Day 2 for A Historic Series Win in India
Star bowler Mitchell Santner and New Zealand’s captain Tom Latham placed the visitors within striking distance of their first-ever Test series win in India, ending day two with a substantial lead of 301 runs.
Inching toward their first Test series victory in India and India’s first home series loss in twelve years, New Zealand moved one step closer to a historic milestone. Mitchell Santner grabbed center stage with a career-best 7-for-53, destroying the Indian batting order for just 156 runs in an incredible achievement. Then, thanks to a strong 86 from captain Tom Latham, New Zealand’s innings picked up more pace, giving the visitors a dominating 301-run advantage with five wickets remaining.
Key Performances and Match Scorecard
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.
Match Analysis
Santner’s accuracy and strategy limited the hosts to 156 runs in their first innings, putting India, who have usually dominated at home, on the defensive. Six of Santner’s victims were bowled or trapped leg before wicket during his outstanding bowling effort, which saw him record his first seven-wicket haul in Test cricket. India’s batters found it difficult to deal with his steady attacks on the stumps as well as his erratic turn and bounce from the pitch.
Santner’s accuracy prevented India from taking advantage, even though their batting lineup was deep down to No. 9. Only twice in Test history has India overturned a 100-run deficit: in the famous Kolkata Test in 2001 and again in Port-of-Spain in 1976. With New Zealand’s bowlers dominating India’s spin tandem of Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin, today’s deficit of more than 300 runs seemed overwhelming.
New Zealand’s batsmen, under the leadership of Tom Latham, kept applying pressure to India following Santner’s outstanding performance. Latham regularly used footwork to outmaneuver India’s spinners and displayed a combination of conventional and reverse sweeps. His strategy and poise made sure that New Zealand maintained strong control, increasing their lead even more.
Santner’s bowling partner Glenn Phillips also made a contribution by taking two vital wickets, getting rid of Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Shortly after the drinks break, Jaiswal’s edge was collected by slip, and Pant was bowled on a low delivery, suggesting that India’s batters were uneasy against New Zealand’s spinners.
After Gill was dismissed, Virat Kohli took over at bat, and the Pune crowd roared. The thrill was short-lived, though, as Kohli missed a full delivery that deflected just enough to topple his stumps, which is uncommon for a player of his level.
The wicket was a pivotal moment for India, as even full deliveries began to behave erratically as the roller’s impact on the pitch diminished. The bowlers from New Zealand just sharpened their focus as India’s confidence wavered, reducing any scoring chances.
The most impressive bowler for India was Washington Sundar, who claimed his second ten-wicket haul in first-class cricket. Latham and his colleagues were able to establish a sizable lead despite Sundar’s efforts to somewhat limit New Zealand’s scoring. Latham laid the groundwork for a lengthy stay at the crease as his colleagues batted more energetically, and Devon Conway and Latham’s calm start helped New Zealand control the pace.
Despite Latham’s close call with a century, his performance and Santner’s earlier breakthrough have put New Zealand in a position to win the series. India now confronts a difficult assignment as they get ready to bat last on a surface that has increasingly suited New Zealand’s spinners, as the pitch is only predicted to become worse.
New Zealand’s resolve to create history in India is demonstrated by their outstanding leadership and well-behaved behavior. The dynamics of the series have been altered by Santner‘s bowling and Latham’s dominant batting presence, paving the way for a thrilling conclusion in the days ahead.
