New Delhi: The Indian men’s cricket team is on the verge of losing its first home Test series after another dismal batting show on the second day. India were bowled out for 156 in the first innings after New Zealand spinners exposed frailty in their batting technique. The Black Caps gained a substantial 103-run lead before extending it past 300 when they finished 198 for 5 at stumps.
Mitchell Santner (7 for 53) and captain Tom Latham (86) kept the tourists ahead a day after they could only manage to put 259 after opting to bat first. India were expected to bounce back in Pune after a humiliating eight-wicket defeat in the overcast conditions of Bengaluru. But the silver linings seen in the first Test weren’t bankable here. Let’s look at the major talking points of Day 2 that turned the table for New Zealand.
Indian batters exposed against the spin trick courtesy Mitch Santner
A lot was said in the build up of the second Test given India’s ability to dominate in the spin-friendly conditions. It apparently looked that New Zealand were ready for all the challenges thrown at them. The solitary change of Mitchell Santner coming in for Matt Henry, the wrecker-in-chief for the Black Caps in Bengaluru, has paid rich dividends for them.
Santner blowed off India’s batting depth with his exemplary turns on a pitch where the ball skidded if bowled quicker and flatter at the same time. The left-arm spinner played 28 matches in the Whites for the Black Caps, but today was his moment when he picked his maiden Test fifer.
Thanks to Indian batters for losing their composure and adopting an unconventional way of scoring runs. The defensive batting went for a toss with the likes Virat Kohli, Sarfaraz Khan and Rishabh Pant looking to up the ante, and as a consequence, gifting their wickets.
India scored just 140 runs in the morning while losing nine wickets. Glenn Phillips also picked the valuable wickets of Yashasvi Jaiswal, who went to defend on front foot, and Rishabh Pant, who was tempted for a big hit.
Washington Sundar’s performance a silver lining for India
Sundar’s addition to the Indian Test squad for the second and third Test was seen as contentious. The Tamil Nadu all-rounder overshadowed veterans Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja on the first day with his career-best figures of 7 for 59. He continued to trouble the New Zealand batters with regular strikes when they were thriving to impose a big lead.
The likes of Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell were kept quite with all of them falling to Sundar’s turn. The 25-year-old claimed his first 10-wicket match haul in Tests, playing only his fifth Test and first in last three years.
India were bowled out for 156 in the first innings after New Zealand spinners exposed frailty in their batting technique. The Black Caps gained a substantial 103-run lead before extending it past 300 when they finished 198 for 5 at stumps. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
