In a captivating turn of events in Pune, New Zealand’s Mitchell Santner showcased a masterclass in spin bowling during the third day of the Test series against India, setting the stage for what could be a momentous achievement for the Kiwis. Santner’s relentless brilliance not only earned him his second five-wicket haul in the match but also his maiden ten-wicket match haul in Test cricket. New Zealand now stands on the doorstep of an unprecedented series win in India—an accomplishment that eludes many teams visiting the cricket-obsessed subcontinent.
As the afternoon session commenced on the third day, India had a steep hill to climb, requiring 359 runs to defy an impending New Zealand triumph. The situation took a dramatic turn as the Indian batsmen crumbled against Santner’s wily left-arm spin, losing six wickets with alarming swiftness. Santner claimed five of these prized wickets, leaving the hosts reeling at 178/7 by tea, still needing 181 runs to chase down the target.
New Zealand, having secured a formidable lead courtesy of performances in the preceding innings, is now on the brink of dealing India an unexpected blow—their first series loss at home since 2012. Such a victory would resonate profoundly, echoing through the halls of cricket history as a testament to New Zealand’s strength and determination.
The day, which initially sparked hope for India, quickly turned into a nightmare. Young prodigy Yashasvi Jaiswal was India’s beacon of hope as he dazzled the spectators with a sublime 77, executing a range of exquisite shots against the Kiwi bowlers. His audacious approach kept pressure intact on New Zealand, raising fleeting prospects of an improbable chase.
However, the moment of magic arrived with Santner unleashing a spinning assault that dislodged India’s foundation. Shubman Gill was the first to fall—an edge that nestled into the slip fielder’s hands, marking the beginning of Santner’s spellbinding run. Jaiswal, who had exhibited a stellar resistance, was next to succumb, as an outside edge sent him walking back to the pavilion.
. His dismissal came as a significant blow and a testament to Santner’s growing influence in the match.
A pivotal moment followed when Rishabh Pant, known for his aggressive batting, was undone by a mix-up with Virat Kohli, leading to a run-out at a crucial juncture. The calamity of the run-out plunged India from a relatively stable 127/2 to 127/4, as the wickets began to tumble under Santner’s spell.
Recognizing the challenge posed by Santner’s left-arm spin, India’s strategy involved shaking up their batting line-up to create a left-right combination. Washington Sundar was promoted up the order to No. 6 in an attempt to break Santner’s rhythm. Nevertheless, the ploy fell short as Santner continued his destruction—removing Kohli for the second time in the match and later dispatching Sarfaraz Ahmed after disturbing Sundar’s defenses.
Even as Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin strove to steady the Indian innings, the relentlessness with which Santner exploited the Pune surface suggested a looming inevitability to New Zealand’s advantage.
New Zealand’s robust performance in the Test finds solid backing in their first innings scores of 259 and 255, where Tom Latham’s solid contribution of 86 runs shone through. Meanwhile, India’s bowling effort, though commendable at times with Washington Sundar taking 4/56 and Ravindra Jadeja bagging 3/72, hasn’t been able to stem the tide in their favor.
As the match edges closer to a decisive conclusion, all eyes remain fixed on how the New Zealand camp, led by the magical spin of Santner, is on the verge of scripting a historic win on Indian soil. A win here would signify more than just a series victory; it would epitomize the excellence and persistence of a team challenging the odds and prevailing in one of cricket’s toughest venues. Only time will reveal if New Zealand can seal their fate with an iconic triumph, but as things stand, they appear to be on the cusp of achieving cricketing glory.