In an unexpected turn, New Zealand defeated Team India on home ground, clinching the Test series with a 113-run victory in Pune. This marks New Zealand’s first-ever series win in India since the two teams started competing in 1955-56, breaking India’s 12-year streak of home dominance. Here’s an overview of how this memorable game unfolded and the key moments that tilted the scales in New Zealand’s favor.
India’s Chase Stumbles: Poor Start and Missed Opportunities
Team India, captained by Rohit Sharma, faced a target of 359 runs on the final day in Pune. Unfortunately, India lost captain Rohit Sharma early, dismissed for only eight runs by left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner. Santner, who had already rattled India with seven wickets in the first innings, continued to capitalize on his form, taking crucial wickets that halted India’s momentum.
Shubman Gill joined Yashasvi Jaiswal, the young opener who was in top form, and together they provided some hope by guiding the team close to the 100-run mark. However, Gill was dismissed for 23 by Santner’s delivery, caught by Daryl Mitchell. Yashasvi, meanwhile, played an impressive innings, scoring 77 runs off 65 balls with nine boundaries and three sixes. But his dismissal, caught out by Mitchell, left India’s batting line-up vulnerable.
Virat Kohli’s Run-Out Mishap Sends India Reeling
One of the most impactful moments came with Rishabh Pant’s unfortunate run-out. Responding to a quick single called by Virat Kohli, Pant failed to reach the crease before New Zealand’s Tom Blundell dislodged the bails. This miscommunication was a turning point as India found themselves at 127 for 4, struggling to build momentum.
Expectations then shifted to Virat Kohli, but he too fell quickly, trapped LBW by Santner after scoring 17 runs. Kohli reviewed the decision, but it was upheld. His early departure left a gap in India’s middle order that proved hard to fill.
India’s Lower Order Fails to Rescue the Innings
Following Kohli’s dismissal, India’s lower-middle order failed to stabilize the innings. Sarfaraz Khan managed just nine runs, while Washington Sundar showed some resistance with his 21-run contribution. Despite efforts by Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin to extend the score beyond 200, the team ultimately fell short, bowled out at 245.
Ashwin contributed 18 runs before his departure, closing off any hopes of a comeback. New Zealand’s bowlers, particularly Santner and Daryl Mitchell, played a decisive role, consistently picking up wickets and preventing India from mounting a serious challenge.
New Zealand’s Key Moments: Dominant Bowling and Strategic Batting
New Zealand’s strategy and strong performances were evident across both innings. In their second innings, they scored a steady 255 runs, adding to the 259 they posted in the first. Wicketkeeper Tom Blundell’s 41 and Glenn Phillips’ 48 were valuable runs that helped set India a challenging target on a spinning track.
The Indian bowlers, especially Washington Sundar, were relentless, with Sundar claiming 11 wickets across both innings—a remarkable feat, as he became the fourth Indian spinner with such a record against New Zealand. Ravindra Jadeja and Ashwin also took three and two wickets respectively, yet New Zealand’s balanced batting prevented any major collapse, solidifying their lead.
India’s Streak Broken: First Home Series Loss Since 2012-13
This loss ends India’s impressive streak of home dominance in Test series, the last home defeat being against England in 2012-13. For New Zealand, this is a historic victory, showcasing their growth and resilience as a team. The victory not only boosts New Zealand’s confidence but also serves as a reminder to India that even on home soil, there is no room for complacency.
The Way Forward for Team India
While this series loss is a setback, it also highlights areas for improvement, especially in batting under pressure. Team India will need to regroup, analyze the missed chances, and strengthen their strategy for future matches. Fans will be looking to see how the team adapts, especially with the World Test Championship in sight.
