India was knocked out on their ground in Pune at the hands of Kiwi spinners, particularly Mitchell Santner, who took the bowling figure of 7/53 on the second Day of the second Test Match between India and New Zealand.
India began the day at 16/1 and was dismissed for 156, thereby giving New Zealand a first-innings lead of 103. Santner followed it up with a masterly spell backed up by Glenn Phillips, who took two wickets as India’s middle order crumbled.
New Zealand started second innings with a lead and augmented this lead beyond 150 and thus New Zealand stamped their authority on the game.
India’s Failure In The First Session
India started their trouble early through Gujarat’s Shubman Gill, who batted well with 30 off 72 balls before being ousted LBW by Santner.
Moreover, Virat Kohli was dismissed strangely from a full-toss delivery bowled by Santner.
Kohli missed the line a bit and went for a shot to the on-side but was bowled out.
This kind of dismissal shocked the Indian team as well as fans as the star batter made his way back to the Pavilion.
Jaiswal got some company in the form of Rishabh Pant but failed to hold the innings together and was gotten by Phillips.
Jaiswal perished at 30 while standing at slip, and Pant, who got carried away and looked to hit everything to the boundary, lost his leg stump.
India reached lunch at 107/7 which is, having lost six wickets for 91 runs in the session, effectively behind New Zealand by 152 runs.
Related Article: Virat Kohli Bowled Out by Santner’s Full-Toss in Shocking Dismissal
Washington Sundar Stands Out in New Zealand’s first innings
One particular noteworthy positive is that India has found some form with the ball through Washington Sundar. Sundar was called up for the second Test, he bowled brilliantly to help India bowl out New Zealand for 259 on Day 1.
He picked up a major Bang in the fall of top-scorer Devon Conway for 76 and later Murdred, targeting the lower order including Tom Blundell and Mitchell Santner.
After the day’s play ended, Sundar said that he was delighted to be picked and noted that pinpoint bowling on a spinning surface is crucial.
He said the decision to remove Conway and Ravindra was especially rewarding because the duo had shown defiance during New Zealand’s innings.
India in Trouble: New Zealand Takes Charge
When India lost their last wicket rapidly, New Zealand’s spinners found ideal conditions to exploit.
Santner was the standout performer of the innings, taking his best bowling figures in a Test innings.
After India is abysmally placed at a score of 171 for a loss of eight wickets, the visitors are in a dominating position and possibly have the chance to get further away from the home side as they look to seal a series win.
India’s bowlers especially Sundar and Ashwin will have to roll back their sleeves to restrict New Zealand’s total if India has any chance to stage a comeback in this difficult test match.
References:
IndiaToday.com
Sportskeeda.com