In what is shaping up to be a defining moment for New Zealand cricket, the team finds itself on the cusp of a momentous series victory against India, thanks mainly to a stellar performance by Mitchell Santner. The left-arm spinner secured his second five-wicket haul of the match and his first-ever ten-wicket haul in a Test, catapulting New Zealand to a commanding position at the MCA Stadium in Pune. As the third day hurtled towards its conclusion, India’s batsmen crumbled, losing six wickets during the afternoon session alone. Santner claimed an impressive five wickets for 72 runs, and his disruptive influence extended beyond his bowling, as another wicket resulted from a run-out orchestrated by him.
By the time the tea break arrived, India found themselves precariously placed at 178/7, still requiring an arduous 181 runs to avoid an imminent defeat. The cricketing world waits with bated breath as it seems destined that New Zealand will hand India their first home series loss since 2012, thus breaking an impressive domestic streak for the hosts.
The afternoon session began optimistically for India with Yashasvi Jaiswal, who looked set to build on his impressive 77-run innings. The young batsman displayed commendable aggression and judicious shot selection, putting the Kiwi bowlers under immense pressure. However, little did India know that Santner’s magic spell was just beginning to unfold.
Santner craftily dismissed Shubman Gill by inviting an edge to slip, a well-set plan executed with precision. He then took the critical wicket of Jaiswal, whose form had been India’s biggest hope. The turning point came when Jaiswal, hampered by a back issue for which he had been seeking treatment even during brief breaks between overs, altered his approach and stopped playing his favored sweep shots. Sensing vulnerability, Santner delivered a crucial blow by prising out his edge, bringing a promising innings to an untimely end.
Compounding India’s woes, Rishabh Pant was run out following a misjudged single involving Virat Kohli, thrusting India from a stable 127/2 to a dire 127/4 in mere moments.
. The sudden collapse was a significant setback, especially with the departure of two left-handers, who were strategically important for countering Santner’s left-arm spin threat.
In a bid to stabilize the collapsing innings, India adjusted their batting lineup, promoting Washington Sundar to the no.6 spot to maintain a left-right combination. Despite this tactical shuffle, Santner continued his onslaught unfazed. He dismissed Kohli for the second time in the match, then followed up by taking Sarfaraz’s wicket, and subsequently bowled Sundar, dismissing any Indian hopes of a batting recovery.
India’s lower order, represented by Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin, attempted to minimize further losses, but the result seemed increasingly unavoidable. While Santner cast his captivating spell at one end, other New Zealand bowlers struggled to exert similar influence. Yet they did not need to; Santner’s mastery over the Pune pitch was complete, the intricate turns and dips of his deliveries leaving India in disarray.
The brief scores reflect the current state of affairs: New Zealand amassed scores of 259 and 255, with the reliable Tom Latham contributing a solid 86. India’s response was feeble at 156 in their first innings and a wobbly 178 for 7 in their ongoing chase, with Jaiswal’s valiant 77 standing out. Santner’s 5 for 72 further compounded India’s predicament, leaving New Zealand with a decisive 180-run lead going into the last stretches of the match.
As the anticipation builds, New Zealand’s supporters envision a historic triumph on Indian soil. Santner’s exploits have not only put his name in lights but have also positioned New Zealand tantalizingly close to an indelible imprint in the annals of Test cricket history.