New Zealand takes control in the Test match against India, led by Mitchell Santner’s seven wickets, putting the hosts in a tough spot with a 301-run deficit.
In an extraordinary display of resilience and skill, New Zealand positioned themselves on the cusp of a historic Test series victory in India. Following their innings of 259, they accumulated 198 for 5 at the end of the day, establishing a formidable lead of 301 runs over India’s first innings total of 156. The standout performer for New Zealand was Mitchell Santner, who displayed an exceptional bowling performance that turned the tide against India. He not only secured his first Test four-wicket haul but also emerged as the catalyst for India’s batting collapse, ultimately taking seven wickets for just 53 runs.
New Zealand’s batting strategy, spearheaded by opener Tom Latham, involved an aggressive approach against the Indian spinners. With Latham contributing a significant 86 runs, the New Zealand batters effectively dismantled the Indian bowling attack, capitalizing on the pitch conditions that offered assistance to spin bowlers. Currently, they maintain a strong position with five wickets still in hand, while India faces the monumental challenge of chasing down a total that they have historically struggled to overcome. In Test cricket, India has only once successfully chased a deficit of 100 runs, notably during the iconic Kolkata Test in 2000-01, and even then, it remains a rare feat.
Somberly, India’s struggle was epitomized by their once-revered spin bowling unit being outperformed by bowlers who entered the match with limited first-class records. Santner’s partner in the bowling attack, Glenn Phillips, also made crucial contributions. He accounted for crucial wickets, dismissing the left-handed Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant, both of whom posed substantial threats to New Zealand’s ambitions.
Santner’s remarkable spell of 17.3 overs saw a series of deliveries that confounded the Indian batters, with six of his wickets coming either bowled or leg before wicket. His consistent attempts to target the stumps created opportunities that proved too enticing for the Indian batters, leading to a flurry of false shots. The pitch, while not as extreme as previous turners in Pune, offered sufficient spin and unpredictability, hampering India’s ordinarily aggressive batting style this season.
The challenges the Indian team faced were evident from the very first deliveries of the day. The opening over showcased variations in turn; while the initial ball turned less, the following ones offered unexpected bounce or substantial turn that kept the Indian batters guessing. This uncertainty perpetuated doubt among the players, leading to inconsistent shots and missed opportunities.
Despite the shaky start, India experienced hope during the initial stages when Shubman Gill exhibited some aggression, even hitting a six off Tim Southee. However, the momentum swung decisively in New Zealand’s favor when Santner captured Gill’s wicket, with decisions from the DRS resulting in a significant shift of confidence amongst the New Zealand team and fans alike.
The dismissal of Virat Kohli added to the mounting pressure, underscoring India’s struggles against the New Zealand bowlers. Kohli, usually noted for his precision, misread a full toss from Santner, which highlighted the challenges of playing in these changing pitch conditions. As time progressed, the inadequacies in India’s batting became stark, with multiple players falling victim to the demanding circumstances.
With New Zealand maintaining their tactical edge, they began utilizing an aggressive strategy themselves, employing sweeps and reverse sweeps to forge runs on a turning surface. Their approach appeared strategic in outbidding India’s formidable bowlers, as Latham led his teammates with calculated strokes and an expansive grasp of the game dynamics.
The first two hours of play confirmed that early morning conditions had started fading as the pitch behaved increasingly unpredictable. India lost six wickets for just 53 runs. Contributing to India’s demise was Santer’s precision, illustrated significantly through the dismissal of prominent batters such as Jaiswal and Pant, who were both unable to adapt correctly to the challenges posed by the New Zealand bowlers.
Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar briefly rejuvenated the Indian innings by pushing the score past the 150-run mark before New Zealand regained control of the match. The anticipated total of 153 runs looked dauntingly different compared to their 356-run challenge in Bengaluru, particularly with the realization that India would be forced to bat last on a deteriorating surface.
At the conclusion of the day’s play, Latham’s leadership helped New Zealand build a commanding lead. His approach—marrying patience with aggression—afforded his team crucial runs as they sought to press home their advantage. Washington Sundar managed to convert his earlier performance into a ten-wicket match haul, but New Zealand found scoring opportunities far easier than India did.
As the match unfolds, eyes turn towards India, which must now confront an uphill battle against a determined New Zealand side awaiting an elusive Test series victory on Indian soil. With cricket fans in India eager to see how this scenario plays out, the stage is set for an intense continuation of the Test series.
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