Santner leads NZ to historic 1st ever Test series win over India on Indian soil

 

India suffered a crushing series defeat at home—their first in 12 years—after being bowled out for 245 in pursuit of 359 on the third day of the second Test against New Zealand on Saturday. Mitchell Santner led the charge, taking six wickets for 104 runs and finishing with a match haul of 13.

Santner’s performance set up New Zealand’s historic win, with his spin partner, Ajaz Patel, claiming the last two Indian wickets, including a resilient Ravindra Jadeja, who scored 42. This marked a shocking loss for India, who had previously fallen by eight wickets in the seamer-friendly conditions of the opening match in Bengaluru, ending their 18-series home-winning streak since a defeat to England in 2012.

India’s best-ever chase at home was 387-4 against England in Chennai in 2008, but replicating that effort seemed improbable on a turning Maharashtra Cricket Association pitch where spinners dominated. India started strongly, with Yashasvi Jaiswal scoring a blazing  77 full of breathtaking shots , but his dismissal by Santner, along with Rishabh Pant’s run-out for a duck after lunch, left the hosts struggling at 127-4.

Santner, who had earlier dismissed Rohit Sharma for 8 caught at short leg and Shubman Gill for 23 caught at slip , continued his relentless attack. He trapped Virat Kohli lbw for 17, heightening the pressure on the Indian dressing room. Sarfaraz Khan, who excelled in the previous match, was bowled for 9 by a low Santner delivery, giving Santner back-to-back five-wicket hauls.

India's hopes waned further as Washington Sundar fell for 21 to Glenn Phillips, and Santner dismissed Ravichandran Ashwin for 18, leaving India tottering at 206-8. Jadeja fought hard towards the end but his 42 only delayed the inevitable.  

The poor batting of the two seniors Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in this match went a long way in scripting the defeat for India . Both struggled to spin and their failure has further fuelled the criticism lebelled towards them for ignoring domestic cricket for a decade or more . 

 New Zealand had earlier been bowled out for 255 in their second innings, with Tom Latham’s 86 and solid lower-order contributions putting them in a commanding position.

Resuming the day at 198-5 and with a lead of over 300 on a challenging pitch, New Zealand’s innings progressed smoothly until Jadeja bowled Tom Blundell for 41, his first wicket of the match. Santner, looking to target Jadeja, misjudged a delivery and was caught in the deep for 4. Tim Southee soon followed, caught at slip by Rohit Sharma off Ashwin’s bowling, drawing loud cheers from the crowd.

Washington Sundar’s running catch sent Ajaz Patel back for 1 off Jadeja, and William O’Rourke’s run-out left Phillips stranded on a well-played 48 not out.