New Zealand left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner ran through the famed Indian batting line-up on the second morning of the second Test in Pune to leave the hosts staring at their first series loss at home in 12 years.
Santner took seven for 53 to dismiss India for 156 in reply to New Zealand’s 259. Glenn Phillips was Santner’s partner in crime, sending back two left-handers, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant.
The visitors, led by Tom Latham, played some attacking strokes against the Indian spinners to end the day with a lead of 301 runs with five wickets in hand.
India have only twice overturned a lead of 100 to win a Test — the great comeback at Eden Gardens against Australia in 2000-01, and a successful chase of over 400 in Port of Spain in 1976.
Santner bowled unchanged for 17.3 overs with six of his victims either bowled or leg before as he kept attacking the stumps.
The start wasn’t bad as Shubman Gill and Jaiswal dealt in boundaries. However, Gill’s dismissal triggered a collapse. Virat Kohli completely missed a low full toss to
get bowled and the likes of Sarfaraz Khan and Pant followed suit.
“Virat will know himself that he has just played the worst shot of his career to get out,” tweeted former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar. “Got to feel for him (Kohli)… cause as always, he came out with solid and honest intent.”
Former India coach Anil Kumble said during commentary that may be Kohli could have considered playing domestic cricket in the lead-up to the New Zealand series.
Post lunch, with only Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja left as recognised batters, the latter decided to take his chances. The approach was quite effective as Ajaz Patel was put under some pressure. But Jadeja’s charge was halted by Santner as he completed his five-wicket haul by trapping him in front.
This wasn’t quite the square turner where India lost their last Pune Test — against Australia in 2016-17 — when Steve O’Keefe claimed 12 wickets. However, there was enough turn and variation to not allow India the ultra-aggressive approach and tie them down to the crease.
The Pune pitch is expected to deteriorate and India would have to bat last.
The Indians were taken to task with sweeps, reverse sweeps, and the use of feet. Ravichandran Ashwin’s first spell went for 33 in six overs, and Jadeja went for 24 in three. Sundar, at the other end, kept picking up wickets.
Latham (86) missed out on a century, but he brought New Zealand to a great position from where they could dictate terms. India didn’t bowl a single maiden in their first 40 overs.
