New Zealand are on the brink of a historic victory in the Pune Test, showcasing a dominant performance throughout the match. Team India, tasked with chasing a challenging target of 359 runs, find themselves in a precarious position after losing 9 wickets. With over 130 runs still needed to secure the win, the Indian batting lineup is under immense pressure as they strive to avoid defeat on home soil. The match’s tension is palpable as India aims to rally and overcome this daunting challenge.
Mitchell Santner excels with the ball
New Zealand’s standout player, Mitchell Santner, delivered an outstanding bowling performance in both innings of the match. A crucial moment unfolded during the 30th over of India’s second innings when Santner trapped Virat Kohli leg-before wicket, leaving the audience in Pune in complete shock. Kohli, who was looking relatively secure with 17 runs off 40 deliveries, tried to play an arm ball off the back foot but missed, allowing the ball to hit him on the pads.
Although Kohli opted for a review, the technology confirmed that the ball was clipping the leg stump, sustaining the on-field umpire’s decision. This dismissal marked yet another occasion where Kohli succumbed to Santner’s clever bowling, having also fallen to him in the first innings.
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Santner makes history with Virat Kohli’s wicket
By dismissing Kohli, Santner made history as he became the first left-arm spinner to take Kohli’s wicket in both innings of a Test match. But his remarkable performance didn’t stop there. Shortly after taking Kohli’s wicket, he bowled Sarfaraz Khan for a mere 9 runs, achieving his second five-wicket haul of the match. This impressive feat made Santner the first New Zealand spinner to claim two five-wicket hauls in a single Test match on Indian soil.
The last spinner to achieve such a milestone against India was Australia’s Steve O’Keefe, who recorded impressive figures of 6/35 in both innings during a Test at the same Pune venue back in 2017.
New Zealand in commanding position
Santner’s exceptional performance has greatly enhanced New Zealand’s prospects of securing a victory, placing them in a dominant position as India struggles to meet the daunting target. With only two wickets left in hand, the pressure intensifies on the Indian batsmen to mount an incredible comeback, while New Zealand sets its sights on a historic win in Pune.
