
New Zealand won their first Test series in India with a convincing 113-run win in Pune. Mitchell Santner’s career-best performance saw the left-arm spinner lead New Zealand’s spin attack, taking 13 wickets in both innings.
India is their first lead. Lost a home series in 12 years
Sanjay Manjrekar: “India’s batting lacked the solidity needed against spin. A promising partnership couldn’t be formed, and some of the top order struggled to deal with Santner’s precision.”
Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar expressed his disappointment with the way India was batting in the Test pointing out the lack of confidence in spin on a twisty pitch among India’s top batsmen.
Pos | Team | Matches | Won | Lost | Drawn | NR | Points | PCT |
1 | India | 13 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 98 | 62.82 |
2 | Australia | 12 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 90 | 62.5 |
3 | Sri Lanka | 9 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 55.56 |
4 | New Zealand | 10 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 50 |
5 | South Africa | 7 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 40 | 47.62 |
6 | England | 19 | 9 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 93 | 40.79 |
7 | Pakistan | 10 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 40 | 33.33 |
8 | Bangladesh | 9 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 30.56 |
9 | West Indies | 9 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 20 | 18.52 |
According to Manjrekar, the popular Jaiswal and Shubman Gill initially also gave hope.
A promising partnership could not be formed and Gill was struggling to deal with spin effectively.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli looked uncomfortable at the crease with Kohli making poor judgment on the Santner delivery, which stood low as Rohit fell first.
This set the tone for challenging occasions. Manjrekar noted that India’s attacking approach could have been more solid especially in the early stages of the innings.
Related Article: Santner Leads New Zealand to Historic Test Series Win Over India
Santner’s spell halts India’s comeback.
New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat for 259 in the first innings. Devon Conway (76) and Rachin Ravindra (65) laid a strong foundation.
India struggled to build momentum in response to a splendid performance by New Zealand bowlers.
Ravindra Jadeja was the top scorer with 38, but couldn’t take their side through the winning margin.
New Zealand took advantage of the second innings with Tom Latham on 86 and Glen Phillips on 48 to extend New Zealand’s lead to 358.
Sundar took 4 for 56 balls, and Jadeja and Ashwin chipped in to cut off the lower Kiwi order.
However, India’s chase was once again hampered by Santner, who took 6 for 104 in the second innings to take India out for a total of 245 runs.
India’s first home loss in 12 years
Yashswi Jaiswal helped India to a solid start in the second innings with a 65-ball 77, including nine fours and three sixes.
But Santanar’s undaunted bowling proved decisive. It broke India’s middle-bottom ranks, with Phillips and Ajaz Patel providing support.
Meanwhile, Jaiswal’s dismissal put India at risk. Santner’s precise spin attack sealed New Zealand’s historic series victory.
References:
Sportstar.com
CricketAddictor.com
