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New Zealand’s domination grows as Santner and Latham lead a strong performance against India in the Pune Test. A compelling match unfolds with India under pressure.
New Zealand’s Domination in Pune Test Match
New Zealand’s domination in the second Test against India continued with impressive performances by Mitchell Santner and Tom Latham. The pair put India under severe pressure, strengthening New Zealand’s lead beyond 300 on the second day in Pune. After India’s batting order collapsed, Santner spearheaded New Zealand’s bowling attack, securing seven critical wickets to shift momentum.
India’s Struggle Against Santner’s Spin
Starting well with Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal finding early boundaries, India appeared optimistic. However, Gill’s dismissal triggered a collapse that left the team struggling. The likes of Virat Kohli, Sarfaraz Khan, and Rishabh Pant failed to recover as Santner claimed five wickets in a single session. This surge gave New Zealand a pivotal advantage, overshadowing India’s attempts at recovery.
New Zealand’s Aggressive Second Innings
Following their strong bowling, New Zealand’s openers added runs, compounding India’s challenges. Ashwin and Washington Sundar managed to dismiss Devon Conway and Will Young, but Tom Latham’s steady performance pushed New Zealand’s lead higher. With the pitch showing signs of deterioration, India faced an uphill battle.
Key Highlights as of Day 2
Brief Scores: New Zealand 259 & 198/5 (Latham 86; Sundar 4/56) lead India 156 (Jadeja 38; Santner 7/53) by 301 runs.
Player Impact: Santner’s seven-wicket haul and Latham’s 86 runs solidified New Zealand’s control.
The Test now leans heavily in New Zealand’s favor, with their domination evident through disciplined bowling and resilient batting.