Kiwis establish substantial 301-run lead at stumps on Day 2, inch closer to historic series win in India
PUNE: In a stunning display of skill and strategy, New Zealand’s left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner achieved a career-best seven-wicket haul while skipper Tom Latham dazzled with his audacious half-century, setting the stage for a potential series victory in India. At the end of Day 2 at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, New Zealand secured a formidable 301-run lead after dismissing India for a mere 156 runs.
Resuming play with a modest score of 16 for 1, New Zealand’s batting faced initial resistance but soon found its rhythm. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill began to find gaps and scored briskly until Santner swung the momentum in his team’s favor. Delivering an unbroken spell of 17.3 overs, he kept attacking the stumps, resulting in six of his victims bowled or trapped lbw.
The turning point came in the 22nd over when Santner dismissed Gill, triggering a wave of Indian collapses. As Virat Kohli arrived to a roar from the crowd, hope was short-lived when he was sent back for just 1, leaving India struggling at 56 for 3. Santner’s assault continued, abetted by Glenn Phillips, who dismissed both Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant in quick succession.
Despite Sarfaraz Khan’s recent form shining through with a century in the previous Test, he too fell victim to Santner’s relentless spin. The Indian innings rapidly unraveled with the hosts losing six wickets for just 53 runs, ending up with a total that fell far short of expectations.
Facing a daunting first-innings deficit of 103 runs, India needed a miracle, but Tom Latham, determined to turn his series around, took control. He confidently negotiated India’s premier spinners, executing sweeping shots and showcasing a commanding presence that belied the challenging conditions. While Latham dominated from one end, Washington Sundar claimed three wickets to preserve a glimmer of hope for the home side.
Latham’s innings ultimately came to a close at 86, just 14 runs shy of a century, yet he etched his mark on the match, propelling New Zealand deeper into a commanding position. As the stumps were drawn, New Zealand was firmly in control with a well-structured lead, now set to chase history.
Brief Scores: New Zealand 259 and 198 for 5 (Latham 86, Blundell 30*, Washington 4-56) lead India 156 (Jadeja 38, Santner 7-53, Phillips 2-26) by 301 runs.
Agencies