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The second Test match between India and New Zealand in Pune has witnessed a remarkable turn of events, with New Zealand taking a giant leap towards a historic series win in India. Led by a career-best bowling performance from Mitchell Santner, who claimed seven wickets, the Kiwis bowled out India for a paltry 156 runs, setting up a commanding lead of 301 runs with five wickets in hand at the end of day two.
Santner's spell was a masterclass in spin bowling, as he exploited the turning pitch to perfection. Six of his victims fell either bowled or lbw, as he consistently attacked the stumps with variations in pace and bounce. The Indian batsmen were simply unable to cope with the challenge posed by the left-arm spinner, who bowled unchanged throughout the day for 17.3 overs.
India's renowned spinners, who have been a dominant force in recent home series, were completely outbowled by Santner and his partner in crime, Glenn Phillips. Phillips played a crucial role in breaking the back of the Indian batting, dismissing the dangerous left-handers, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant.
The New Zealand batting unit also performed efficiently, with Tom Latham leading the way with a well-constructed 86 runs. Latham, along with the other batsmen, took a calculated approach against the Indian spinners, ensuring that they kept the scoreboard ticking over at a steady pace.
India has only twice overturned a lead of 100 runs to win a Test match, but facing such a daunting task against a confident New Zealand side appears to be an uphill battle. This match has highlighted the vulnerabilities of the Indian batting against quality spin bowling, particularly on a pitch that offered significant turn.
New Zealand will be aiming to capitalize on their dominant position and secure their first-ever Test series win in India. The team's collective effort, coupled with Santner's brilliance, has put them in a strong position to achieve this historic feat.
The third and final Test match of the series will be played in Indore, and will be a crucial encounter for both teams. India will be looking to bounce back and salvage some pride, while New Zealand will be determined to maintain their momentum and secure a memorable victory.
Source: Santner, Latham give NZ a shot at maiden Test series win in India