New Zealand has taken a commanding lead in the second Test against India, finishing Day 2 at 198/5, a substantial 301-run advantage over the hosts in Pune. Kiwis' superlative performance has put India in a precarious position, needing to overcome a big deficit in the fourth innings to avoid a series defeat at home for the first time in over 11 years.
New Zealand dominate Day 2 of 2nd Test as India stare at another defeat
India's struggles began on Day 2, where they were bundled out for 156 in the first innings, largely due to a career-best seven-wicket haul by Mitchell Santner. Resuming their innings on Day 2, India's openers, Yashaswi Jaiswal (30) and Shubman Gill (30), started cautiously but were unable to sustain the momentum. Santner's breakthrough dismissal of Gill, followed by the wicket of Virat Kohli (1), further weakened India's batting lineup.
New Zealand continued their dominance on Day 2, with Glenn Phillips contributing to the downfall of India's batting order. Phillips dismissed the dangerous Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant (18), adding to the pressure on the Indian team.
Mitchell Santner (7/53), however, was the star of the show, claiming his maiden five-wicket haul. He dismissed key players like Virat Kohli, Sarfaraz Khan, and Ravindra Jadeja, leaving India reeling at 103/7. The Indian tailenders offered little resistance, and the team was eventually bowled out for 156. Santner's exceptional performance, coupled with India's struggles against spin, highlighted the team's vulnerability in these conditions.
New Zealand continued their dominance in the second innings, with a strong start from Devon Conway (17) and Tom Latham (86). However, Washington Sundar's impressive performance (4/56), including the dismissal of Conway, Rachin Ravindra (9), and Daryl Mitchell (18), helped India make inroads.
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Ravichandran Ashwin also contributed with a wicket, but Tom Latham's resilience was crucial for New Zealand. He scored a valuable 86, extending the team's lead beyond 280 runs. Unfortunately, Latham was dismissed late in the day, leaving Tom Blundell (30) and Glenn Phillips (9) to finish the day at the crease, which extended India's lead to 301.
India now faces a daunting task of chasing down a challenging target in the second innings, with a historic series win within reach for New Zealand on Day 3.
