Mitchell Santner proved to be a thorn for the Indian batsmen as he once again struck telling blows and finished the match with a 13-wicket haul.
| Photo Credit: K. Bhagya Prakash

For the second time in three days – and the third time in four innings this series – India’s batters surrendered against a clinical New Zealand as the visiting side created history by taking an unassailable lead in the three-match series, mauling India by 113 runs.

Twenty-six minutes into the last hour of the third day at the Maharashtra Cricket Association stadium, with some of the 28,895 spectators who had turned up hoping against hope of an India turnaround, Tim Southee at long-on completed a clean catch to dismiss Ravindra Jadeja off Ajaz Patel and the New Zealand bunch burst into a prolonged bout of celebration.

After setting India a stiff target of 359, all it took for the Kiwi bowlers — led by the bespectacled Mitchell Santner — was 257 minutes and a little over 60 overs to wind up India’s second essay for 245.

Barring Yashasvi Jaiswal, who adopted an ultra-aggressive approach before being drawn forward and undone in flight by Santner, and Jadeja who prolonged the inevitable, no India batter could occupy the crease on a pitch that continued to aid the tweakers.

The Kiwi spinners – especially Santner – persisted with making India’s batters play by employing a stump-to-stump line. It paid dividend yet again as the Indian batters continued to be beaten on either side of the edge.

IND vs NZ second Test: Day 3 in pictures, October 26, 2024

New Zealand players celebrate after winning the second Test against India in Pune on October 26, 2024.

Captain Rohit Sharma and New Zealand’s skipper Tom Latham shake hands after New Zealand won the second test cricket match in Pune on October 26, 2024.

Captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir are seen dejected after New Zealand defeated India in the second Test in Pune. This is the first Test series loss for India in 12 years.

New Zealand cricketers made history on the Indian soil by winning a Test series after seven decades. India lost the first Test series at home after 12 years.

The stand-out performer for New Zealand is Mitchell Santner who took 13 wickets in the match and played a useful knock in the first innings.

After the dismissals of the top order, Ravindra Jadeja played a lone hand and was the last batsman to be dismissed as India was bundled out for 245 in the second innings.

Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal played brilliantly in the second innings but that was not enough for Team India as they succumbed to the guiles of Mitchell Santner.

Captain Rohit Sharma could not fire in both the innings as he failed miserably by getting out for 0 and 8 in the match.

Virat Kohli failed to show his class in both the innings as he succumbed to the guiles of Mitchell Santner in both the innings of the second Test

Ravindra Jadeja did well on the third day by taking 3 wickets in the morning session to restrict New Zealand for 255 in the second innings.

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