By Sanjeev Kumar Patro
Bhubaneswar: The New Zealanders are on the verge of making history in India. The 282 run lead over India in the Test number 2 with 6 wickets in hands puts the Kiwis in a vantage position. Since ever the test series between India and New Zealand began (1955-56), New Zealand had played 12 test series with India in India, and India had won the series 10 times and it was drawn twice.
With New Zealand taking a good lead of 280 after bundling out India for a paltry 156 run, and when it is leading the series 1-0, the Kiwis seem to be on the track to accomplish the record feat – the first ever test series win on Indian soil.
Cricket is a game of bravehearts. The cricketing game is dynamic and has the habit of throwing surprises, given that India remained undefeated at home for 12 years consecutive years. but the pitch report looks little reassuring.
INDIAN BATTERS DISMAL SHOW
Mitchell Santner ripped through the Indian topline order by scalping the prized wickets of Virat Kohli. Santner bowling figures at the end of the day was terrific. He took 7 wickets for just 53 runs. This has been a record for Santner as this was his first 5-wicket haul in his 28 matches and 47 innings. Indian batsman falling like nine pins to left arm spinner Mitchell Santner raised eyebrows as Indian batters are good spin players.
VIRAT KOHLI LOSS
Take a look at how Mitchell Santner bowled Virat Kohli out for just 1 run. The moment Virat’s bails lay shattered, the MCA Cricket Stadium in Pune stood shaken and slipped to a pindrop silence.
Santner bowled a low full toss sliding toward the middle stump, and Kohli attempted an across-the-line shot. As per commentators call, Virat Kohli’s decision to play an across the line shot is an unusual move for him. The consequence is ball evaded the bat and hit the middle and leg stumps directly. Indian batters seem taking the Kiwis lightly and paying off the price later.
SANTNER SENT INDIANS PACKING
Mitchell Santner demolished Indian batting line up with 17.3 overs on the trot. He kept attacking the stumps and bowling good length. Of the 7 scalps, six of were either bowled or lbw. India had batting till No. 9, but on such pitches the depth doesn't mean much. As accurate bowling of Santner has kept the Indian bails falling down, New Zealand secured a 103 lead over Indians by virtue of its first innings total of 259.
ROHIT SHARMA VULNERABLE TO TIM SOUTHEE
The way New Zeanland pacer Tim Southee bowled out Rohit Sharma in the 1st innings of India in the Pune test shows the Himan’s vulnerability to Southee. As per Cricket statistics, Southee took Rohit Sharma’s wicket on 14 times across the playing format. Rohit was out not to a poor shot selection, rather he was out to a beauty delivery.
