IND vs NZ: New Zealand dominates day two as Santner’s spin masterclass stuns India

New Zealand edged closer to an historic achievement after a powerful all-round performance on day two of the second Test, setting up a potential series win against India on their own soil. With a 301-run lead, the visitors put India under immense pressure, driven by Mitchell Santner’s stunning seven-wicket haul and Tom Latham's composed innings.

Santner, who had never before taken four wickets in a Test innings, delivered a career-defining performance, claiming 7 for 53 and dismantling India’s batting lineup. The left-arm spinner’s unrelenting accuracy kept Indian batters on the back foot, leading to six of his seven dismissals being either bowled or lbw. He used the Pune pitch effectively, varying his spin to keep India’s batters guessing. Glenn Phillips supported with crucial wickets, dismissing both Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant, two of India’s key batters.

The day started with promise for India, with Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal aiming to stabilize the innings. However, Santner quickly shifted the momentum, dismissing Gill with one that skidded straight on. As the Indian crowd cheered for Virat Kohli’s arrival, Santner continued his spell, and Kohli fell to an unexpected full toss that he tried to pull but missed.

India’s famed batting depth couldn’t withstand Santner’s persistence. With the ball turning unpredictably, even experienced players like R Ashwin struggled. Washington Sundar managed some resistance with his second ten-wicket match haul in first-class cricket but received little support from the other end. Ravindra Jadeja and Sundar’s efforts helped India push their total past 150 but left them well behind with New Zealand leading by 103 runs.

As New Zealand returned to bat, Tom Latham stepped up with a solid 86, skillfully using sweeps, reverse sweeps, and footwork to counter India’s spinners. Starting aggressively with a paddle sweep on his first ball, Latham quickly set the tone. Though he narrowly missed a century, his innings gave New Zealand firm control over the match.

While India’s bowlers struggled, Washington Sundar managed to add to his wicket tally, securing his second first-class ten-wicket haul. However, the damage had been done by Latham, who anchored New Zealand’s innings while Devon Conway, Tom Blundell, and others batted briskly around him, further extending their lead.

India now faces a daunting task with the pitch expected to deteriorate further. The last time they overturned a 100-run deficit was in 2001, and if New Zealand continues its form, they could claim their first Test series win in India, ending India’s 12-year unbeaten home record.

With three days left, New Zealand will look to secure a memorable victory, while India must rely on their spinners and hope for a historic comeback in the final innings.