Mitchell Santner delivered an unforgettable performance, guiding New Zealand to a commanding 112-run victory over India in the second Test in Pune. This win secured a historic 2-0 series triumph for New Zealand, marking India’s first home series defeat since 2012, ending a remarkable 18-series unbeaten streak on their soil.
Santner’s second innings heroics (6-104) followed his career-best 7-53 from the first innings, completing a match haul of 13 wickets that saw him etch his name into cricketing history. On a spinning Pune track, Santner’s skillful use of variation in pace and trajectory created havoc for India, who struggled to mount a serious challenge after conceding a significant first-innings lead. India needed 181 runs to stay in the game at the Tea break on Day 3, but despite resistance from Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, the target proved insurmountable.
Ashwin and Jadeja combined for a 39-run stand that delayed the inevitable, but Santner’s persistence paid off as he dismissed Ashwin, caught by Daryl Mitchell at slip. Jadeja (42) fought a valiant but solitary battle, managing to push India’s hopes further into the final session, though with only tailenders for support. Ajaz Patel dealt the final blows, first dismissing Akash Deep, who holed out attempting a big shot, and later sending Jadeja back as he misplayed a slog to end India’s innings.
The groundwork for New Zealand’s victory was laid in the first innings when Devon Conway (76) and Rachin Ravindra (65) provided the visitors with a solid start on a tricky Pune pitch. Their efforts helped New Zealand reach a competitive total, despite India’s Washington Sundar (7-59) returning to the side and taking quick wickets to disrupt the latter half of New Zealand’s lineup.
Santner’s masterclass then came to the fore, with the left-arm spinner bouncing back from a challenging series in Sri Lanka to reassert his prowess in the red-ball format. His precision dismantled India’s batting order, with top-order batters like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill unable to convert their starts. India’s tame response to New Zealand’s first-innings score, along with Santner’s sharp spin on a deteriorating pitch, gave the Black Caps a dominant position from which they never looked back.
Despite an improved effort in the second innings, led by Jaiswal’s aggressive 77, India’s chase of 359 fell flat as Santner once again tore through their lineup. The pressure of defending a nearly 12-year unbeaten streak seemed evident on the Indian spinners, as they struggled to exert the same control and penetration that Santner managed throughout the game.
For the Black Caps, this victory is monumental, marking the end of India’s home dominance in Test cricket.
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