New Zealand sealed one of the most extraordinary series victories in Test match history, defeating India by 113 runs in Pune to take an unassailable 2-0 series lead.
With one more Test in the series, New Zealand’s place in history is assured. They are the first team to defeat India in a series in India since England’s come-from-behind win in 2012. India had won their previous 18 Test series at home, comfortably the longest such streak in history.
After New Zealand’s seamers clinched their victory in Bangalore, when Matt Henry and Will O’Rourke combined to bowl India out for 46 on the opening morning, the pitch in Pune was set up to assist spin. Yet India’s brilliant array of spin bowlers were outbowled by Mitchell Santner, New Zealand’s left-armer.
Santner had not even been picked in the first Test, and arrived in Pune with an average of 42.2 in 28 Tests. Yet, bowling with great accuracy and varying his pace subtly, Santner produced one of New Zealand’s greatest Test performances, taking seven for 53 in the first innings, and then – defying a side strain – six for 104 in the second as India were bowled out for 245 in pursuit of 359 to win.
‘Everyone stepping up at the right times’
New Zealand had never previously defeated India away in a Test series. Before this month, they had won only two previous Tests in India, most recently in 1988.
“It is obviously a special feeling – very proud,” said Tom Latham, who succeeded Tim Southee as captain before the series. “The last three wickets took an age, but it was great.
“This game was a clear example of everyone stepping up at the right times – very special. When you come here, you want to put your best foot forward.”
The victory marks an end to India’s astounding run at home. Until New Zealand’s visit, India had played 53 Tests at home since the start of 2013, won 42 – 16 by an innings – and lost just four. The sequence was even more dominant than the home performances of West Indies’ 1980-95 team or Australia’s 1995-2007 side.
After the final Test of the series, India will travel to Australia for the five-match Border-Gavaskar series. While India have already picked their squad for that, their defeat raises questions about some of the side’s most vaunted senior players. Spin bowlers Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja were outshone by both Santner and their own team-mate Washington Sundar, the 25-year-old off-spinning all-rounder. Virat Kohli and captain Rohit Sharma have averaged only 22 and 15.5 respectively over the two Tests.
New Zealand’s victory is the ideal fillip ahead of their next engagement: the three-match series at home to England, which begins on November 28. Ominously for England, the win in Pune came with New Zealand missing both their best batsman, Kane Williamson, and leading bowler, seamer Henry. By the time that England take to the field in Christchurch, both men should be back.
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