In a gripping contest in Pune, Mitchell Santner emerged as New Zealand’s key architect, delivering a performance that has brought the team to the verge of a historic series victory against India. Santner’s sensational bowling feat, with a second five-wicket haul in the match and a maiden ten-wicket haul in Test cricket, saw India struggle in their chase on the third day of the Test.
Santner’s devastating spell was instrumental in New Zealand’s afternoon session success as India lost six wickets, with Santner accounting for five of them (5-72) and contributing to a crucial run out with his fielding brilliance. By the time the teams broke for tea, India was reeling at 178/7, still needing 181 runs to secure a victory. Such is the strength of Santner’s impact that New Zealand looks set to hand India their first home series defeat since 2012, an accomplishment that would be monumental in the world of cricket.
The session commenced with India showing promise, particularly through the aggressive play of Yashasvi Jaiswal. Jaiswal, who scored a gritty 77, countered the New Zealand bowlers with precision and power, hinting at the possibility of turning the tide for India. His stroke play was commendable, and for a while, it seemed he might spearhead a successful chase. However, Santner’s introduction wreaked havoc. The turning point came when Santner, with sheer brilliance, had Shubman Gill caught at slip. This was followed by a critical wicket of Jaiswal, which dented India’s hopes severely. Jaiswal, who had been nursing a sore back throughout the innings, wasn’t as adventurous with his sweeps post-lunch, a strategy adjustment that proved costly.
The dismissal of Jaiswal was a significant blow for India, but the team’s predicament worsened shortly after when Rishabh Pant was run out due to miscommunication with Virat Kohli. This sudden fall from 127/2 to 127/4 shifted momentum entirely in favor of the visitors. The loss of two dynamic left-handers, who were seen as potential counters to New Zealand’s left-arm spin threat, was a major setback for the hosts.
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In an effort to balance the left-right batting combination, India elevated Washington Sundar to number six in the batting order. While tactically sound, this strategy did little to deter Santner’s assault. The left-arm spinner continued his dominance by dismissing Kohli for the second time in the match, displaying an uncanny knack for getting big wickets at crucial junctures. He followed that by removing Sarfaraz Khan and then dismantling Sundar’s defenses, further crippling the Indian innings.
Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin, skilled batsmen in their own right, mounted a defensive resistance to halt further damage, navigating the threatening deliveries with cautious resilience. Yet, the aura surrounding the match indicates an inevitable outcome as New Zealand seem poised for a commendable victory.
Among the bowlers, while New Zealand’s pace attack did create pressure intermittently, Santner’s use of the Pune track was nothing short of masterful. His control and variations left India’s famed batting lineup in disarray. Utilizing the dry and dusty nature of the pitch, Santner’s performance exemplifies the art of spin bowling and the pivotal role it plays in India’s subcontinent conditions.
The visitors’ first series win on Indian soil in over a decade now seems more likely than ever, thanks to Mitchell Santner’s heroics. Such triumphs not only position New Zealand as a formidable force in world cricket but also demonstrate the indelible impact quality spin bowling can wield on adept batting lineups like India’s.
The brief scores reflect the day’s gripping play: New Zealand ended their innings with scores of 259 and 255, with Tom Latham contributing a valuable 86 runs. India’s response stood at 156 and 178/7, with Yashasvi Jaiswal’s courageous 77 standing prominent amidst the ruins. Santner’s magical figures of 5-72 effectively lead New Zealand to a commanding position, requiring only 180 runs for India to rewrite history.