Mitchell Santner delivered a career-best performance, taking seven wickets for 53 runs as India were dismissed for 156 in the first innings of the second Test against New Zealand at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune on October 25, 2024. This outstanding effort gave New Zealand a crucial first-innings lead of 103 runs.
Match Summary
India’s star-studded batting lineup struggled against Santner’s spin, with the left-arm spinner wreaking havoc from the outset. He picked up his first wicket by dismissing Shubman Gill for 30 and continued to chip away at the Indian lineup, eventually claiming seven wickets in the innings.
Mitchell Santner’s magical spell
Santner struck early, breaking the promising partnership between Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal (30), who added 49 runs for the second wicket. After lunch, Santner returned to the attack and dismissed key players like Ravindra Jadeja, Akash Deep, and Jasprit Bumrah. Even Virat Kohli fell victim to Santner’s bowling, playing a forgettable shot to be clean bowled for just 1. The last seven wickets fell for just 62 runs, with Santner leading the charge and Glenn Phillips also contributing with two wickets.
Santner’s performance was a masterclass in spin bowling, exploiting the conditions perfectly and keeping the Indian batsmen under constant pressure. His ability to vary his pace and flight, along with his accuracy, made it difficult for the Indian batsmen to settle in.
Mitchell Santner’s seven-wicket haul has put New Zealand in a commanding position in the second Test against India. His exceptional bowling performance will be remembered as a key moment in the match, and he has joined the elite list of New Zealand spinners who have taken five-wicket hauls in India. As the match progresses, India will need to regroup and put up a strong fight to level the series.
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