Mitchell Santner’s performance
Mitchell Santner orchestrated a stunning performance on the second day of the second Test in Pune, leading New Zealand’s bowling attack against a formidable Indian batting lineup. The pitch, known for its unpredictable behaviour, certainly contributed to the challenges faced by the Indian batsmen. However, it was the rash shots played by the Indian players that exacerbated their woes, as they crumbled under pressure, losing six wickets in a single session and staggering to 107/7 at Lunch.
The day began positively for India with Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal at the crease. They showcased aggressive intent, scoring boundaries with relative ease. Yet, the tide turned dramatically when Santner trapped Gill leg-before-wicket, igniting a batting collapse that left the home crowd in disbelief. Virat Kohli’s dismissal was particularly shocking; he misjudged a low full-toss from Santner, losing his stumps and further deflating the Indian spirits.
Rishabh Pant, known for his explosive batting, provided a brief glimmer of hope by finding the boundary on just his second delivery. However, this hope was short-lived as Jaiswal fell victim to a sharp catch at slip. From that moment, every delivery turned into a contest, with the pitch offering considerable turn and bounce. Glenn Phillips added to India’s troubles by delivering a low full-toss that unexpectedly kept low, leading to Pant’s dismissal and plunging India deeper into crisis.
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The Indian batting order, often praised for its depth, proved to be a liability as wickets continued to tumble with alarming regularity. Sarfaraz Khan’s miscue off Santner further highlighted the precarious situation, and the left-arm spinner swiftly removed R Ashwin to compound India’s misery. With half the team back in the pavilion before Lunch, the Indian camp was left to contemplate their strategy and regroup.
As the players headed for the break, Washington Sundar narrowly escaped an lbw shout, emphasizing the mounting pressure on him and Ravindra Jadeja. The duo faces the daunting task of rebuilding the innings as India finds itself trailing by 152 runs. With only three wickets remaining, the road ahead is fraught with challenges, and the team must find a way to recover and mount a competitive total against a confident New Zealand side.
