NEW DELHI: India stared at their first ever house Check sequence loss to New Zealand after the guests claimed a formidable 301-run lead on day two of the second Check in Pune on Friday.
Tom Latham (86) spearheaded New Zealand’s batting effort following Mitchell Santner excellent 7/53, which dismantled the Indian lineup. Latham’s innings helped solidify a 103-run first-innings lead, leaving the Kiwis at 198/5 at stumps.
Tom Blundell (30 not out) was on the crease alongside Glenn Phillips (7 not out) when play concluded for the day.
India haven’t misplaced a Check sequence at house since their defeat to England throughout the 2012-13 season, and their unbeaten streak of 18 sequence is now below critical risk.
The very best profitable chase for India in Checks at house stands at 387 runs, achieved in opposition to England in Chennai in December 2008.
Listed here are the important thing speaking factors from the second day of the match:
Virat Kohli’s frailties in opposition to spin
Virat Kohli’s frailties in opposition to spin got here to the fore once more as his dismissal in opposition to Mitchell Santner turned the massive speaking level. The surprising nature of his wicket left cricket consultants baffled, and Kohli himself in disbelief. Kohli misjudged a low full toss, failing to attach because the ball slipped below his bat and crashed into the stumps, leaving him visibly annoyed.
Since 2021, Kohli has fallen to spin 21 occasions in Asia, highlighting a decline in his once-dominant type in Check cricket, the place he boasts over 9,000 runs. His struggles, notably in opposition to left-arm orthodox spinners like Santner, have change into a rising concern. Of these 21 dismissals, 10 have come from left-arm orthodox bowlers, in opposition to whom Kohli now averages simply 27.10.
Mitchell Santner’s seven-star present
Mitchell Santner made the Indian batters dance to his tunes on a turning Pune observe as he returned profession finest figures of seven/53 to assist New Zealand dismiss India for 156 within the first innings. It was Santner’s first five-wicket haul in 29 Check appearances.
Santner struck within the eleventh over of the day trapping Shubman Gill lbw for 30 with a intelligent slider to the right-hander. The house crowd was left in surprised silence when Santner then claimed the prized wicket of Kohli, bowling him out with a low full toss.
The left-arm spinner then dismissed first-match centurion Sarfaraz Khan, who was caught at mid-on for 11. He adopted this by trapping Ravichandran Ashwin lbw for simply 4 runs. Santner then bought Ravindra Jadeja out, ending his counter-attacking innings at 38. He claimed two extra wickets to wrap up India’s innings, bolstering New Zealand’s hopes of securing their first Check sequence victory on Indian soil after successful the opener of the three-match sequence.
India’s high order falter once more
India’s high order had one other dismal efficiency, with not one of the batters managing to attain a half-century. Ravindra Jadeja, who seemed to revive the innings, top-scored with a counter-attacking knock of 38 runs. The hosts suffered yet one more ‘dangerous session’ as they misplaced six wickets within the morning for simply 91 runs, making the pitch seem extra unfavorable for batting than it truly was.
Tom Latham leads NZ cost in 2nd innings
Skipper Tom Latham led by instance, skillfully countering the Indian spinners whereas New Zealand’s batters executed their plans successfully. The Kiwis showcased strong defensive methods and rotated the strike deftly, making use of constant strain on the Indian bowlers. Latham seemed poised to safe his first century since December 2022, however Washington Sundar interrupted his progress, dismissing him for 86 runs off 133 balls, which included 10 fours.
Washington Sundar’s 10-wicket haul
The lone brilliant spot for India on this match is Washington Sundar who made a memorable return to the nationwide group after a hiatus of greater than three and half years. After clinching a career-best haul of seven/59 within the first innings, the right-arm off spinner chipped in with 4 wickets within the second essay. Sundar dismissed Devon Conway for 17, Rachin Ravindra for 9, and Daryl Mitchell for 18 earlier than claiming Tom Latham as his fourth sufferer of the innings.
