In what shapes up to be a landmark moment in cricket history, New Zealand is on the cusp of a historic series victory against India at the typically formidable Indian fortress of Pune. The architect behind this remarkable feat is none other than Mitchell Santner, the left-arm spinner who delivered a sensational performance by registering his first-ever ten-wicket match haul in Test cricket. Santner’s efforts in the game were pivotal, leaving India teetering on the brink of their first home series defeat since 2012. By capturing five wickets during a decisive afternoon session on the third day, Santner left India struggling at 178/7, still needing 181 runs to avoid defeat.
The afternoon session began on a hopeful note for the Indian team, as Yashasvi Jaiswal, with a determined knock of 77, kept the scoreboard ticking while putting the New Zealand bowlers under significant pressure. Jaiswal’s aggressive approach and astute shot selection were commendable, and his confidence seemed infectious. As the session progressed, however, Santner spun his web, starting his spell of brilliance with the crucial wicket of Shubman Gill, who was caught at slip attempting to drive. This dismissal was a forewarning of the drama that would unfold.
Santner’s breakthrough opened the floodgates for New Zealand, and soon he delivered the knockout punch by dismissing Jaiswal, trapping him with an outside edge that sailed into the hands of the waiting slip fielders. A notable aspect of Jaiswal’s dismissive moment was his reduced frequency of sweep shots post-lunch—a strategic decision influenced by an uncomfortable back for which he had received treatment during breaks.
India’s slide into despondence quickened with Rishabh Pant’s unfortunate run-out, a confusion that resulted from a misjudgment between the wickets with the experienced Virat Kohli. From what had seemed a relatively stable position at 127/2, India suddenly found themselves plunging to 127/4, a drastic shift that amplified New Zealand’s grip on the match. The loss of two adept left-handers highlighted how Santner, armed with precision and perseverance, mercilessly exploited India’s weaknesses.
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Strategically, India opted to tweak their batting order to preserve a left-right combination, promoting Washington Sundar up the order to combat the mounting pressure. Unfortunately, this tactic did little to deter Santner’s onslaught. The left-arm spinner continued to dismantle India’s batting setup, dismissing the renowned Kohli for the second time in the game, following it by claiming the scalps of Sarfaraz and later toppling Sundar’s defense with a probing delivery.
With the score precariously poised and the Indian batting lineup crumbling, seasoned campaigners Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin were left with the task of salvaging a semblance of resistance to prevent further damage. Despite their efforts, however, an air of inevitability surrounds the match, as New Zealand, led by the spectacular Santner, looks set to seal their exceptional performance with a historic win.
Throughout the match, while other New Zealand bowlers struggled to consistently threaten, Santner stood out, utilizing the Pune pitch’s subtleties to devastating effect. His intelligent use of flight, variations, and an unerring line made him nothing short of unplayable, showcasing the classic art of left-arm spin at its very best.
The brief scores of the match highlight the intensive contest between bat and ball: New Zealand managed a respectable 259 and 255 in their respective innings, with a notable innings of 86 by Tom Latham. For India, their struggles were evident as they could only post 156 in the first innings and 178/7 in the ongoing second innings, largely due to Santner’s outstanding figures of 5-72. One also cannot ignore the contributions of Washington Sundar, who earlier showcased his bowling prowess with figures of 4-56, and Ravindra Jadeja, who chipped in with 3-72.
As the match edges closer to a conclusion, the cricketing world watches eagerly, aware that history is ready to be made. New Zealand stands on the brink of recording a memorable series victory against India on their home soil, a formidable achievement spearheaded by the magic of Mitchell Santner.