Pune, Oct 25 (Representative) In a challenging Day 2 of the second Test against New Zealand on Friday, India found themselves in a precarious position, trailing by 301 runs as the Kiwis closed at 198/5 in their second innings. Mitchell Santner’s devastating spin bowling and Tom Latham’s resilient batting have left India grappling for answers.India’s innings faltered dramatically, collapsing to just 156 all out as Santner wreaked havoc with his left-arm spin. The hosts, resuming play with hopes of a strong start, faced quick setbacks. Shubman Gill fell to a well-executed plan from Santner, who maintained impeccable accuracy, varying his pace and trajectory to exploit the pitch’s variable bounce, which resulted in India losing six wickets by lunch. The Indian batting order, typically formidable on home soil, failed to find any rhythm against Santner’s incisive spell, and even the usually reliable Virat Kohli fell victim to a misjudged delivery. In response, New Zealand’s second innings saw Latham play the anchorman with a solid 86 off 133 balls, demonstrating composure and intent.
His partnership with the other batsmen allowed New Zealand to maintain a steady run rate, while India’s bowling attack struggled to make inroads. The spin-heavy strategy adopted by the Indian team did not yield the expected results, as the Kiwi batsmen skillfully countered with aggressive strokes. As stumps were drawn, Glenn Phillips remained at the crease with 9 off 29 balls, and Tom Blundell contributed a useful 30 runs. With five wickets still in hand, New Zealand is well on track to increase their lead further, putting India in a difficult position as they seek a turnaround.For India, Washigton Sundar (4/56) was the most successful bowler. Trailing by a daunting 301 runs, India face a significant challenge to regain control of the match. The team’s bowlers need to step up in the coming days to produce a miraculous performance to prevent New Zealand from sealing the series in Pune. The pressure is mounting, and India will need to summon all their resilience to navigate the precarious situation.Brief scoresNew Zealand 259 & 198/5 (Tom Latham 86; Washington Sundar 4/56) lead India 156 (Ravindra Jadeja 38; Mitchell Santner 7/53) by 301 runs