New Zealand made cricket history by clinching a historic Test series victory in India, winning the second Test in Pune by 113 runs. With this win, New Zealand secured an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, putting an end to India’s impressive home record of 18 consecutive series wins since 2012.
Match Highlights: Santner’s Star Performance
The Black Caps, led by an exceptional all-round performance from Mitchell Santner, dominated both with bat and ball. Set 359 to chase after New Zealand’s second innings total of 255, India was all out for 245, unable to withstand Santner’s precision spin bowling. Santner recorded his best Test match performance, finishing with figures of 6-104 in India’s second innings and a total of 13 wickets across both innings.
Santner reflected on his standout performance, saying, “Every time you take wickets, you get a little more confident. I felt that. Every time I got a wicket, it got a little better.”
India’s Struggle Against Spin
India’s chase began with a glimmer of hope as Yashasvi Jaiswal scored a brisk 77. However, the hosts’ resistance was short-lived, as Santner dismantled the top order, claiming the crucial wickets of Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Jaiswal himself. Santner then executed a critical run-out of Rishabh Pant and trapped Virat Kohli, leaving India struggling at 147-5.
India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, acknowledged the team’s collective struggle, saying, “It is a collective failure. The team has failed to accept the challenge thrown at us.”
All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja attempted to mount a late fightback but was eventually bowled out for 42, marking the end of India’s innings and a comprehensive New Zealand win.
A Memorable Series Win for New Zealand
This victory holds immense significance for New Zealand cricket. It marks their first-ever Test series win on Indian soil and breaks India’s 12-year unbeaten home record, which dates back to England’s 2012 series win led by Alastair Cook. With a 2-0 series lead, New Zealand has now stamped their authority in this historic Test encounter, setting up for a possible clean sweep in the final match.
