IND vs NZ, 2nd Test, Day 2 Highlights: Mitchell Santner's 7-53 folded India for 156 in first innings. New Zealand 301 runs ahead at the stumps on Day 2.
Brief Score: NZ 259 (D. Conway 76, W. Sundar 7/59) & 198/5 (T. Latham 86, W. Sundar 4/56) lead IND 156 (R. Jadeja 38, M. Santner 7/53) by 301 runs.
On Day 2 of the Pune Test, India suffered yet another batting setback, collapsing for 156. Mitchell Santner was the star for New Zealand as the hosts lost nine wickets for just 106 runs. The left-arm spinner, Santner (7/53) and off-spinner Glenn Phillips (2/26) shared nine wickets between them to demolish India. Meanwhile, Washington Sundar was the lone fighter for the home side.
Talking Point: India’s batting faltered again
India's frailties against spin came to the fore again as a shocking collapse saw the hosts bundled out for just 156 runs in their first innings. They found themselves facing familiar challenges on a turning track, struggling to bat cohesively as a unit once again. This has raised concerns about the team's ability to adapt to challenging spin conditions. The lack of a unified approach in shot selection led to unnecessary risks and ultimately, to the team's downfall. The wrong strategic approach hindered their ability to counter the opposition's spin attack effectively.
Mitchell Santner runs riot, IND 107/7 at lunch
Starting the day with one wicket down, India lost six wickets in the morning session to reach a score of 107/7 at Lunch on Day 2 of the second Test. The hosts’ middle order collapsed in a heap after the drinks break. Shubman Gill seemed to have made a fluent start to the day but Mitchell Santner ended his progression in the 22nd over. Gill fell for 30 off 72 balls, putting up a partnership of 49 runs with Yashasvi Jaiswal for the second wicket.
Virat Kohli soon followed, missing a full toss from Santner and losing his stumps. This brought out Rishabh Pant to give Jaiswal company. However, that stand didn't last long with Jaiswal being dismissed by Glenn Phillips right after the drinks break. Phillips then got Pant as well as the India batter tried to go for a big ugly heave across the line, missing the ball entirely.
India all-out for 156, New Zealand 85/2 at Tea
India's star-studded batting line-up could not stand up to the challenge posed by New Zealand spinner Mitchell Santner as the hosts were bundled out for 156, giving the Tom Latham-led side a crucial first-innings lead of 103 runs. Santner, who had never managed to take more than three wickets in a Test innings before this, returned with figures of 7/53 while Glenn Phillips claimed two.
New Zealand got off to a quick start in their second innings despite Washington Sundar and Ravichandran Ashwin taking a couple of wickets before Tea. The visitors were 85/2 at the break, leading by 188 runs.
Washington Sundar picks his 11th of the match, NZ 198/5 at stumps
Washington Sundar fought a lone battle for India on Day 2. Skipper Tom Latham led the charge for New Zealand in the second innings with a gritty 86 to take his side’s lead to 301. The visiting captain registered 86 runs off 133 balls, as the Kiwis reached 198/5 at stumps. He lost his wicket to Sundar, who picked his 11th wicket of the match.
Statistical highlights from India vs New Zealand, 2nd Test, Day 2
The second wicket partnership (49) between Yashasvi Jaiswal & Shubman Gill is the second-highest for this wicket in Tests played at MCA Stadium, Pune so far.
Yashasvi Jaiswal breached the 1000-run mark in Tests in the calendar year 2024.
Mitchell Santner bagged his first fifer in Test cricket.
Santner's 7-53 are the third-best figures registered by a NZ bowler against India in Tests.
Santner also registered second-best figures for New Zealand in Test cricket in India.
India's cumulative batting average in this series against NZ is 22.13 so far. It's their lowest cumulative batting average registered in a home Test series since January 2013.
Ravichandran Ashwin now has the most wickets (42) in Tests in calendar year 2024 so far.
Washington Sundar claims his first ten-wicket haul in Tests. It is also his second in FC cricket.
Tom Latham registered the third-highest individual score (86) for a visiting Kiwi captain in Tests against India.
This is only the third time that a visiting team's left-handers from top 7 have averaged above 50 in India since January 2011. The last time it was done was in the last series India lost at home, against England in 2012-13.
What’s next
Early in the morning, India will try to get some quick wickets to prevent New Zealand from gaining a significant lead. Meanwhile, the Kiwis will look to bat as long as they can and post a big target on board.
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