In a remarkable turn of events that has stunned cricket enthusiasts worldwide, New Zealand clinched an emphatic victory against India, bringing an end to India’s 11-year undefeated streak at home in Test matches. This historic win came during the second Test match held in Pune and marked New Zealand’s first Test series victory on Indian soil in 69 years. The Kiwis secured a comprehensive 113-run triumph, wrapping up the game in just three days.
India’s last defeat in a home Test series occurred back in December 2012 against England, under the captaincy of MS Dhoni. Since then, Team India, particularly under the leadership of Virat Kohli, has maintained an impressive record in home Tests, turning their venues into almost unassailable fortresses. However, New Zealand, with their awe-inspiring performance, managed to penetrate this bastion after an astonishing interval of 4332 days.
The second innings saw New Zealand initially faltering to a total of just 255 runs. Washington Sundar delivered a superb bowling performance, claiming four wickets, while Ravindra Jadeja supported with three important dismissals. Trying to chase down a target of 359, India suffered an early setback, losing Rohit Sharma’s wicket quickly. Nevertheless, Yashasvi Jaiswal offered some hope by scoring a rapid 77 off 65 deliveries, creating a potential spectacle in the chase.
However, Mitchell Santner’s exceptional bowling turned the tide in favor of the visitors. His pivotal breakthrough came with the dismissal of the high-flying Jaiswal in the 22nd over. This sparked a dramatic collapse of the Indian batting line-up, leaving the hosts reeling at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium on Day 3. Santner walked away as the hero of the match, boasting sensational figures with a haul of six wickets in the second innings, and an outstanding total of 13 wickets throughout the Test.
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Virat Kohli, showing glimpses of his superior batting skills, was dismissed for a mere 17 off 40 balls after a confident start. Rishabh Pant was removed for a duck, while Sarfaraz Khan could only manage nine runs, adding to the host team’s woes. Ravindra Jadeja demonstrated resilience with a score of 42 off 84 balls, attempting to stabilize the innings but could not steer the team to victory.
New Zealand’s monumental Test series win over India not only marks a significant achievement for the tourists but also casts uncertainty over India’s preparedness as they look ahead to the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the 2024-25 season. The lackluster performance of India’s experienced players, including Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, has raised critical questions regarding the consistency of India’s batting unit.
Among the few positives from the Indian camp was Washington Sundar, who showcased his prowess with a splendid 11 wickets over the two innings. His all-round capabilities were displayed as he also contributed an unbeaten 18 in the first innings. The selectors have recognized Sundar’s talents, and he has been named in India’s squad for the upcoming five-match Test series against Australia, where he will aim to replicate his heroics.
In recent years, India had only lost two Test matches at home against New Zealand before this series. But suffering two defeats in a series on home soil against the Kiwis has signaled a need for India to reassess and re-evaluate their strategies and execution on the field. As they prepare for future challenges, particularly against formidable opponents, finding balance and consistency remains crucial for India to reclaim dominance in the longer format of the game.
The events in Pune have not only broken a longstanding streak but have also injected excitement and unpredictability into the world of cricket. As New Zealand celebrate this momentous victory, the international cricket community keenly observes how India responds to this defeat and strategizes its way back to winning ways ahead of critical contests on the horizon.
