In a stunning display of bowling prowess and strategic acumen, Mitchell Santner led New Zealand to an emphatic 112-run victory over India in the second Test at Pune, clinching a historic series win. The defeat marked a seismic shift in the landscape of Indian cricket, as it was India’s first series loss on home soil since 2012, a streak that saw them triumph in 18 consecutive bilateral series.
The turning point of the match came on Day 3, as India faced an uphill battle during the Tea break. With 181 runs required to remain in contention, the pressure mounted on India’s seasoned campaigners, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. Known for their ability to perform under pressure, the duo found themselves in an insurmountable predicament this time around.
Despite their efforts, stitching a 39-run partnership to keep New Zealand at bay, Santner shattered India’s last vestiges of hope. Ashwin fell to a sharp delivery that was deftly caught by Daryl Mitchell at first slip, thereby ending India’s resistance. Jadeja’s resilient inning of 42 came to an end after Jasprit Bumrah and he were left with little support from the tailenders. Akash Deep succumbed to the pressure, succumbing against Ajaz Patel after 24 deliveries without scoring. While Bumrah provided momentary entertainment with a six and a four off Santner, Jadeja’s departure, off another Patel delivery, sealed India’s fate.
New Zealand’s authoritative victory was crafted with precision, owing to their superior strategy both with the bat and ball. Winning the toss proved pivotal, with New Zealand’s stand-in captain Tom Latham capitalizing on the dry, spinning Pune pitch perfectly. Key contributions came from Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra, whose tenacious fifties laid a sturdy foundation. Despite the pitch’s unpredictable nature, their collective efforts provided New Zealand with the necessary momentum.
Conway and Ravindra showcased remarkable composure, with Ravindra displaying a particularly fluent performance on a challenging track. Aiming for a sizable total in the 300-325 range, their endeavor was derailed by Washington Sundar’s impressive 7-59, helping restrict New Zealand. This sudden collapse saw them lose seven wickets for a mere 62 runs, allowing India a glimpse of hope after a shaky start.
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However, New Zealand rebounded with a robust second innings performance. Like Sundar, the game was a chance for Santner to redeem himself after a challenging series in Sri Lanka. His mastery over the conditions was evident as he outperformed Indian spinners, who struggled to match his precision and control. Santner’s variations in pace and trajectory baffled the Indian batsmen.
India’s first innings featured fleeting moments of resistance, with fifty contributions from players such as Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill, but a defining innings eluded the hosts. A formidable 103-run lead by New Zealand set India on a path of no return. While a miracle was needed to mount a successful chase of 359, the Indian side fell short.
New Zealand did not falter in bolstering their advantage in the second innings. Led by Latham’s captain’s knock of 86, the visitors extinguished any hopes of a dramatic comeback from India. Ashwin and Jadeja, despite their tested abilities, found the pitch too challenging to exert the control exhibited by Santner. Sundar’s spirited fightback, capturing 4-56, proved insufficient without adequate support from the other end.
Jadeja’s spirited attempt to revive India’s hope was evident as New Zealand was bowled out quickly on Day 4, but the imposing target required an extraordinary effort beyond miracles. Jaiswal injected life into the chase with an assertive 77, but another Santner spell and a critical run out of Rishabh Pant snuffed out India’s faint hopes.
For Santner, it was a momentous achievement, registering two five-wicket hauls and a total of 13 wickets in the match, etching his name in cricketing history. New Zealand ended India’s dominant home run, a testament to their tactical superiority and intense preparation. As India grapples with the series defeat, their performances over the two-Test series reveal vulnerabilities that remained unaddressed. Santner’s commanding role underscores his importance to New Zealand’s cricketing aspirations.