The Pune crowd was left stunned as Virat Kohli fell for just 1 run in the morning session of the ongoing Test against New Zealand.
When India resumed their innings on Day 2, they lost Shubman Gill for 30 runs.
As the second day of the India-New Zealand Test series progressed in Pune, New Zealand emerged as the dominant force, exploiting a crumbling pitch and sharp bowling tactics to leave Indian batting in a dire situation at 107 for 7.
Trailing New Zealand’s first innings total of 259 by 152 runs, India faced a spirited Kiwi bowling attack led by Mitchell Santner, who took four wickets for just 36 runs in a stellar display of spin.
The morning session saw a swift collapse of India’s batting lineup as New Zealand’s tight field placements and disciplined bowling broke through India’s defenses.
The day began with India hopeful for a steady start but quickly facing challenges as New Zealand bowlers adapted to the conditions.
The Pune pitch, dry and cracked, aided Santner’s left-arm orthodox spin, making life difficult for Indian openers.
After a cautious start, the first blow came when Santner dismissed Shubman Gill for 23 runs, trapping him lbw with a ball that skidded low and sharply into his pads.
Gill’s dismissal opened the floodgates, exposing India’s middle order to Santner’s relentless spin and accurate variations.
The veteran New Zealand bowler displayed masterful control, focusing on an impeccable line just outside off stump and mixing up his flight and length to keep the Indian batters guessing.
This approach bore fruit when the Indian captain, Virat Kohli, misjudged a low full toss, bowled through the gate for a single.
Kohli’s early departure sent a wave of nervous energy through the Indian camp, as the middle order now had to anchor the innings under intense pressure.
New Zealand’s disciplined attack was complemented by Glenn Phillips, who dismissed the aggressive Rishabh Pant, catching him unprepared with a delivery that slid past his inside edge and hit the stumps.
Phillips, too, capitalized on the low bounce of the pitch, maintaining a nagging line that forced the Indian batters to take risky shots.
By now, New Zealand’s well-planned bowling strategy had reduced India to 84 for 5, with Pant’s departure marking a critical blow to India’s hopes of staging a counterattack.
Attempting to halt the free fall, Sarfaraz Khan and Ravindra Jadeja sought to apply damage control, yet both succumbed to the mounting pressure.
Sarfaraz, known for his resilience, played a few controlled shots but fell to Santner’s deceptive flight, skying a catch to mid-off while attempting a lofted drive.
Ravichandran Ashwin, India’s last recognized batter, attempted to dig in alongside Jadeja but misread another of Santner’s deliveries and was given out lbw after a quick DRS review upheld the umpire’s call.
With India’s top and middle order now back in the pavilion, Jadeja and Washington Sundar remain as the last bastion for India, left with the daunting task of bridging a significant deficit.
New Zealand’s bowlers, visibly energized, looked to tighten the screws and capitalize on India’s vulnerable tail.
New Zealand’s exceptional performance in this innings highlights the quality of their spin attack, often overshadowed by the fast bowlers in Test series.
Santner’s display of control and precision was instrumental in exploiting a pitch that rewarded disciplined spin. His well-crafted spells not only kept India from scoring but also forced errors, ensuring New Zealand maintained control over the pace of play.
The collapse serves as a stark reminder of India’s susceptibility on turning pitches against quality spin, which New Zealand’s bowlers exploited to perfection.
The series now seems poised for a potentially historic shift, as New Zealand inches closer to securing a breakthrough Test win in India, a rare feat last accomplished over two decades ago.
As the day nears a close, India’s hopes rest on Jadeja and Sundar’s ability to stave off the Kiwi attack and potentially set up a respectable total.
However, with just three wickets in hand and New Zealand poised to maintain their aggressive stance, India faces an uphill battle to avoid a series defeat on home soil.
