• New Zealand achieved a historic series victory against India, clinching the second Test in Pune by 113 runs.

  • Mitchell Santner stole the show with his sensational spin bowling in both innings of the match.

Twitter reactions: Mitchell Santner sizzles as New Zealand wins the 2nd Test to register first-ever series triumph in India
New Zealand beat India in the Pune Test (Image Source: X)

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New Zealand achieved a historic series victory against India, clinching the second Test in Pune by 113 runs. This win marked New Zealand’s first-ever Test series triumph on Indian soil, ending India’s dominant run of 18 consecutive home series victories that began in 2012. Despite India being heavy favorites, especially on their own turf, New Zealand defied the odds and secured the series with one match remaining.

Advantage with the decent first innings total

New Zealand batted first and managed a competitive total of 259 runs in their opening innings. Captain Tom Latham led from the front with a steady knock of 52, while Devon Conway contributed with 76, building a solid foundation. Will Young (18) and Rachin Ravindra (65) also chipped in with valuable runs. India’s spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Washington Sundar shared most of the wickets, with Sundar taking 5 for 79 to restrict the visitors.

Mitchell Santner’s 5-fer destroys India

India’s reply with the bat was disappointing as they were bundled out for just 156 runs. Youngster Yashasvi Jaiswal top-scored with 30 runs, but no other batter could make a significant impact. Tim Southee and Glenn Phillips were crucial in dismantling India’s top order, but it was Mitchell Santner who stole the show with his spin, claiming 5 wickets for 37 runs, tearing through the Indian middle and lower order.

Rachin Ravindra helps New Zealand build a strong lead in second innings

In their second innings, New Zealand capitalized on their first-innings lead, posting 255 runs. Latham again anchored the innings with a solid 86, while Glenn Phillips added a crucial unbeaten 48 down the order. Contributions from Ravindra (91) and Daryl Mitchell (18) helped push the total beyond India’s reach. Washington was again the pick of the bowlers for India, taking 5 wickets, while Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja also contributed with important breakthroughs.

Also READ: IND vs NZ: Mitchell Santner scripts history with Virat Kohli’s wicket in the Pune Test

Santner shines again as India’s collapse leads to defeat

Set a target of 359 runs, India faltered once again, finishing at 245 all out. Despite a fighting 77 from Jaiswal and a supportive 42 by Jadeja, India struggled against Santner’s disciplined bowling. The spinner was relentless, ending with another 6-wicket haul (6 for 46), bringing his total to 11 wickets for the match. Ajaz Patel and Phillips also chipped in with timely wickets, sealing New Zealand’s dominant win.

New Zealand defies the odds to make history

The result marked one of the most significant upsets in recent cricket history, with New Zealand defying all expectations. Recently coming off a 0-2 defeat in Sri Lanka, the Kiwis were under immense pressure, especially with a new captain, Latham, leading an inexperienced squad in the absence of Kane Williamson. But the team played fearlessly and produced a historic result, becoming the first side in over a decade to defeat India in a Test series on home soil. New Zealand’s victory in Pune stands as a testament to their resilience, tactical acumen, and the ability to perform under pressure.

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AKSHAT GAUR
Akshat is the Sr. Content Strategist at CricketTimes.com. With a passion for storytelling and a keen eye for detail, Akshat has honed his skills over 6 years, working with various media outlets, publications, and organizations to deliver high-quality content that informs, educates, and entertains audiences. He is just another cricket fan who’s grown up watching the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid. Cricket runs in his veins. Cover drive is his favorite sight, and a ball meeting the middle of the bat is his favorite sound. You can write to him at akshat.gaur@crickettimes.com and follow him on Twitter, Facebook & Linkedin.