![India vs New Zealand 2024/25, India vs New Zealand 2nd Test Match Report, October 24 – 28, 2024 India vs New Zealand 2024/25, India vs New Zealand 2nd Test Match Report, October 24 – 28, 2024](https://i1.wp.com/img1.hscicdn.com/image/upload/f_auto/lsci/db/PICTURES/CMS/389700/389782.6.jpg?w=1200&resize=1200,0&ssl=1)
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new zealand 259 and 198 for 5 (Latham 86, Blundell 30*, Washington 4-56) lead India 156 (Jadeja 38, Santner 7-53, Phillips 2-26) from 301 runs
The challenge for India was clear from the first three balls of the day itself. From the same spot, the first turned lower than expected, the second went straight but Shubman Gill survived the umpire’s call, and the third went wide of the outside edge. There was not only turn, but also quick turns and natural variations on the surface.
India had batting till number 9, but depth does not matter much on such pitches. Santner was so accurate that it took him only 47 false shots to run through India. However, New Zealand’s patience and belief were tested for the first half hour. Gill was successful in getting the start by attacking Tim Southee and hitting a six off his ball. Yashasvi Jaiswal edged Southee for a four, before main spinner Ajaz Patel offered him another half-volley on paper.
But the situation turned for New Zealand in the 22nd over of the day when Santner once again defeated Gill with a straight ball. This time the umpire’s call went in favor of the bowler. As soon as 15 seconds ended on the DRS timer, the crowd started shouting loudly. For the arrival of Virat Kohli. The joy for them was short-lived as Kohli soon missed a fulltoss, which he tried to bowl to square leg. The ball drifted off the starting line, but it was still a fulltoss that Kohli would have sent almost every time had he played with a straight bat.
By now the effect of the roller was wearing off. Batsmen were also moving full balls – or those they had taken close to – using their feet. Those who did not come created more suspicion. As is the case at such times, the fielders were everywhere: a powerful sweep went straight into the shin of short leg, a short ball stopped and turned, and the pressure kept on increasing.
With two left-handers in the middle, Latham went to Phillips first after the drinks break. It took four balls for Phillips to take a turn and take Jaiswal’s ball to slip. Rishabh Pant, who was kept calm with the in-and-out fields, then went on to pull a pull that was just short of the length. The ball remained low and he was bowled, leading to an inaudible insult that could have ultimately gone to Pant’s wallet.
Sarfaraz Khan, who showed proficiency against spin in Bengaluru, soon discovered that there was less margin for error in Pune. If you were going to attack, you needed to do everything right. He really tried to swing the entire ball in and out, and it still bounced over cover. Their sweep was stopped and they got only one run. Eventually, he attempted to clear deep mid-off without reaching the pitch of the ball, reminiscent of Phillips’s dismissal on the first day. A bowler then took R Ashwin in, marking the first time Santner took three wickets in a Test innings.
A lead of 103 runs here was a much worse situation than Bengaluru’s 356 runs because the pitch was going to get worse and India would have to bat last. Latham paddle-swapped the first ball. A backward short leg came up to stop that shot and he hit a four with a cover-drive. Rohit Sharma was now just chasing the ball because you cannot react when you are so behind on a turning pitch.
The removal of two of India’s greatest match-winners was clinical. Sweeps, reverse sweeps and use of the legs were all employed. In Ashwin’s first spell, 33 runs were scored in six overs and Jadeja scored 24 runs in three overs. Washington kept taking wickets at the other end. Devon Conway swept on the pads, but LBW decision not reviewed. Till now New Zealand was at the forefront.
Once he got started and the field spread out, Latham pitched his tent for a long innings while others batted more rapidly around him. Washington converted seven wickets in their first innings into ten wickets in their second match in first-class cricket, but New Zealand found it easier to score runs at the other end. Latham missed a century, but he had put New Zealand in an excellent position.
Siddharth Monga is a senior writer for ESPNcricinfo
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