India In Deep Trouble After Santner’s Spin (7/53) Bamboozles Kohli & Co. In 2nd Test

Pune: Thrashed in the opening Test at Bengaluru, Team India sought a spinning track for the second match of the series against New Zealand in Pune.

They got one, but it seems to be backfiring.

Having bowled out New Zealand for 259 on Day 1, thanks to surprise selection Washington Sundar’s career-best seven-wicket haul, India did far worse. Resuming on 15/1, the home team was shot out for 156 as left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner (7/53) ran through the highly-rated batting line-up.

New Zealand batters, led by skipper Tom Latham’s attacking 86, tightened the screws on Rohit Sharma’s men by reaching 198/5 at stumps on the second day – an overall lead of 301 runs with three days left in the game.

First the 46 all out in 31 overs in conditions suited to seam and swing bowlers in Bengaluru. Now, 156 all out in 45.3 overs on a pitch aiding spinners without being a rank turner. Team India are looking down the barrel as a rare series defeat at home beckons, despite Sundar’s superb efforts.

The offie bagged 4 of the 5 NZ wickets to fall on Friday, following his 7/59 in the first innings, thereby claiming his maiden 10-wicket match haul in Test cricket.

India started the day cautiously at 15/1, with Yashasvi Jaiswal (30 off 60 balls) and Shubman Gill (30 off 72) taking their time to settle down. Just when it seemed the left-right combination had got to terms with the pitch, Santner broke the 49-run partnership – highest of the innings – by trapping Gill leg-before wicket.

Virat Kohli walked out to the middle amid thunderous applause, but lasted just 9 balls for a single run. In a totally uncharacteristic shot, Kohli attempted to slog a full toss from Santner only to miss the ball and have his bails dislodged.

No wonder former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar described it as the ‘worst shot’ of Kokli’s career.

Jaiswal was caught at slip in Glenn Phillips’ first over. Offie Phillips struck again in his third over, castling the adventurous Rishabh Pant who attempted an ordinary shot.

Sarfaraz Khan holed out to deep mid-off, Ravichandran Ashwin fell leg-before wicket to Santner.

Ravindra Jadeja, who top-scored with 38 (3×4, 2×6), looked to build a partnership with Sundar (18 not out) before Santner wrapped up the last 3 wickets.

Brief Scores

New Zealand 1st innings: 259

India 1st innings: 156 (Ravindra Jadeja 38; Mitchell Santner 7/53).

New Zealand 2nd innings: 198/5 (Tom Latham 86; Washington Sundar 4/56).

Match situation: New Zealand lead by 301 runs

2nd Test to continue on Day 3.