IND vs NZ: 2nd Test, Day 3 Review – New Zealand end India’s Test dominance at home
New Zealand’s 113-run victory on Day 3 of the second Test in Pune secured them their first-ever series win in India. Mitchell Santner’s outstanding performance, claiming 13 wickets across both innings, dismantled India’s batting lineup, handing the Blackcaps their first-ever series win on Indian soil. Resuming their innings at 231/5, New Zealand added some runs to set a target of 359 before being bowled out early in the day.
India’s chase began positively, with Yashasvi Jaiswal scoring a rapid 77 and sharing a solid stand with Shubman Gill. However, Santner’s precise spin attack quickly turned the game, sparking a middle-order collapse. India’s batsmen struggled to counter the spin-friendly conditions, with only Ravindra Jadeja offering some resistance with a gritty 42. Despite India’s efforts, they eventually folded for 245, well short of the target.
This victory also broke India’s 18-series unbeaten home record, which had stood for 12 years. New Zealand captain Tom Latham credited his team’s disciplined approach and Santner’s remarkable consistency as key factors in their success. As the series moves to the Wankhede Stadium for the final match, India will need to regroup and make strategic adjustments if they aim to avoid a whitewash on home turf.
Top Performers of the day
New Zealand’s Mitchell Santner was the standout performer on Day 3, delivering a career-best 13-wicket haul across both innings. His disciplined spin and precise control exploited the Pune pitch’s turn, keeping India’s batsmen constantly on the back foot. Santner’s key dismissals of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shubman Gill were pivotal in dismantling India’s lineup and securing an early finish to the Test, marking a milestone victory for New Zealand on Indian soil.
Glenn Phillips played a crucial role for New Zealand on Day 3 with an unbeaten 48 off 82 balls, including four boundaries and two sixes. His calm and determined innings helped New Zealand extend their lead to a formidable 359, setting India a challenging target on a spin-friendly pitch. Phillips held his ground against India’s bowling attack, ensuring that New Zealand had a strong foundation before Santner’s spin clinched the series victory.
India’s opener Yashasvi Jaiswal showed resilience and aggression during his innings of 77 runs off just 65 balls. His fluent stroke play provided India with a confident start, raising hopes of a successful chase. His knock, filled with boundaries and smart shot selection, momentarily put New Zealand on the defensive. Unfortunately, Jaiswal’s dismissal was followed by a batting collapse, but his innings was one of the highlights for India on an otherwise challenging day.
