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Historic Win for New Zealand! India Faces Crushing Defeat in Pune as Mitchell Santner Dominates
In a historic turn of events, New Zealand clinched its first-ever Test series victory in India, defeating the host team by 113 runs in Pune and securing a 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Mitchell Santner was instrumental in New Zealand’s triumph, putting up an extraordinary performance with 13 wickets across two innings. This defeat is a rare blemish on India’s formidable home record, ending an 18-series unbeaten streak on their own soil.
Santner Shines: 13 Wickets of Sheer Dominance
Mitchell Santner’s left-arm spin left the Indian batting lineup in tatters. His 7-wicket haul for just 53 runs in the first innings set the tone, and he followed it up with another 6 wickets in the second innings, ending with match figures of 13 for 157. Santner’s bowling was relentless, as he attacked India’s top-order batsmen and consistently broke partnerships. Before this match, his best figures were 3 for 34 in an innings, making this performance a career milestone.
The 32-year-old spinner exploited the turning pitch and outfoxed India’s batters with remarkable precision. Indian players, including established names like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shreyas Iyer, found no answers to Santner’s spin, as they struggled to build partnerships and counter New Zealand’s strategic fielding.
India’s Batting Woes Continue
India’s batting lineup, which failed to cross 50 runs in the first innings of the previous Test in Bengaluru, struggled once again in Pune. In the first innings, the hosts collapsed at 156 runs, failing to put up a competitive score. Chasing 359 in the second innings, they could only muster 245 runs, with young Yashasvi Jaiswal standing out as the sole batsman to resist New Zealand’s attack, scoring a commendable 77 off 65 balls.
Jaiswal, aged 22, put up a determined fight, finding brief support from all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who added 42 runs. Despite these efforts, the Indian batting unit crumbled, plagued by frequent dismissals and minimal contributions from the middle order.
A Historic Series Win for New Zealand
This victory is monumental for the New Zealand team, marking their first Test series win on Indian soil since they began touring the country in 1955. Previously, the Kiwis managed to draw two series, in 1969-70 and 2003-04, but had never tasted a series win in India until now. India’s defeat not only ends their 18-series home winning streak but also represents just their fourth Test series loss at home since 2000.
Implications for the World Test Championship (WTC)
With this unexpected defeat, India’s WTC points have taken a hit, dropping to 62.82% from their previous lead. Though they still hold the top spot with 98 points, Australia is inching closer with a percentage of 62.50, making India’s path to the WTC final more challenging. As they prepare to face Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, this loss has underscored the need for India to regain their momentum and make adjustments before heading abroad.
Looking Ahead
The loss on home soil is a significant blow for India, who now face the challenge of redeeming themselves in their upcoming series against Australia. Meanwhile, New Zealand has shown resilience, skillfully adapting to subcontinent conditions and taking a firm grip on the series. Their outstanding performance, especially by Santner, will be remembered as a historic achievement for New Zealand cricket and a sobering moment for Indian cricket fans.
image credit: english.jagran.com
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