As the dust begins to settle over Pune, cricket enthusiasts worldwide are left pondering the seismic shift witnessed in the cricketing world this week. The Indian cricket team, notorious for its impenetrable fortress at home, saw its 24-match home unbeaten streak come to a shattering halt thanks to a resolute New Zealand team. This victory is not just another notch in New Zealand’s belt, but a monumental accomplishment against a powerhouse like India—a feat they had not achieved since 1955.
The New Zealand cricket team has been experiencing a transitional phase, recently having switched captains following a 0-2 Test series loss to Sri Lanka. They faced the daunting task of playing without Kane Williamson, their most seasoned and talented batter, sidelined due to injury. Despite these challenges, they confronted an Indian team that had been perched securely atop the World Test Championship rankings and was aiming for a third consecutive WTC final appearance.
This unexpected turn of events in Pune can be described as one of the biggest upsets in cricket’s recent history. Even Tom Latham, New Zealand’s captain, found himself grasping for words to contextualize the magnitude of their achievement. A mere week earlier, Latham had confessed with a cheeky grin that he would have chosen to bat first in Bengaluru — a controversial choice that had led to India’s downfall in the first Test. In a series defying all odds, it was New Zealand’s pacers that bounced India out for their lowest Test score at home, and a youthful batter took charge against India’s veteran spinners, nullifying a spirited comeback attempt with the Fresh New Ball. This alone would stand proud among New Zealand’s notable away Test victories.
And yet, the incredible triumph in Pune took center stage. Unlike Bengaluru, where the conditions were somewhat more familiar due to a benign track, Pune posed a different challenge entirely. It was anticipated to be a spin-heavy pitch from the outset. Remarkably, though, Mitchell Santner outshone India’s renowned spin twins Ashwin and Jadeja across two innings. Their batsmen’s innovative shot selection, particularly the strategic sweeps, placed substantial pressure on the seasoned Indian spinners. Santner’s mastery in maintaining tight lines and adjusting his pace outmaneuvered India’s spin duo.
. Latham’s strategic win of the toss in Pune allowed New Zealand to outplay India at their own game, earning this victory a higher ranking than even the renowned victory in Bengaluru.
While it may not have had the dramatic theater of India’s famed win at the Gabba in 2021, it held equal significance. New Zealand has developed a knack for trumping India in pivotal moments—the 2019 World Cup semifinal and the 2021 World Test Championship final come to mind. The 2024 series symbolized a burgeoning New Zealand squad, undergoing its own transformation, which could potentially herald the birth of future cricketing legends from the land of the long white cloud.
Conversely, for India, recent performances raise pressing concerns regarding some of their senior players. Both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma left little to savor apart from half-centuries in Bengaluru. Ashwin, unusually, struggled on familiar terrain, and Washington Sundar’s promising introduction adds competition. India too navigates a phase of transition, underscored by four home Test losses in the past two years. The WTC era’s result-driven pitches have somewhat leveled the playing field between India and planetary cricket rivals, dismantling their once unassailable aura.
Despite the setback, captain Rohit Sharma chose to assess the Pune Test result with cautious optimism. Defending his team during a reflective juncture, Rohit stated, “Out of the 54 Test matches, we have won 42. That’s nearly 80% wins. So, why focus only on the negative? We’re committed to not letting this defeat spur panic within the team. Yes, series defeats happen, but we need not reinvent the wheel due to one lost series.”
Twice in as many Tests, Sharma has sought to maintain a composed public demeanor amidst intense scrutiny. Looking ahead, India has named its squad for an impending tour of Australia, where they will aim for at least four victories to secure another shot at the WTC final. If they are to succeed following their setback at Pune, it promises to be an arduous task, but one brimming with potential redemption for the Indian giants.