New Zealand versus India Test Series, 2024

2nd Test

Day-2 Afternoon Session Highlights:

New Zealand team has taken the lead after a crucial first innings

At The Tea of Day-2:

New Zealand scored 259 (1st Innings) & 85/2 (2nd Innings), where as India scored 156 (1st Innings).

So, finally New Zealand lead by 188 runs.

New Zealand is in a commanding position in the Test match against India in Pune, having established a crucial first innings lead of 103 runs.

After dismantling the Indian batting lineup during the morning session, they wrapped up the innings after lunch, bowling India out for 156, thanks to Mitchell Santner’s outstanding career-best figures of 7 for 53.

They then added 85 runs in their second innings, losing just two wickets, which extended their lead to 188 by tea.

Ravindra Jadeja began the session aggressively, taking charge of the scoring.

With only Washington Sundar as the recognized batter at the other end, Jadeja targeted Santner, hitting a couple of fours and then launching Ajaz Patel for a six down the ground.

He struck Ajaz for another maximum before Santner made a vital breakthrough, dismissing Jadeja to secure his five-wicket haul.

In the same over, Santner struck again, removing Akash Deep after conceding a six on the previous delivery.

Washington contributed by targeting Ajaz for 14 runs in an over, but Santner ultimately ended India’s struggles with the bat.

In a desperate bid for quick wickets, India opened the attack with Ashwin and Washington, but New Zealand’s positive start caught the hosts off guard.

The openers scored 19 runs in the first three overs and maintained pressure on India until Washington broke through, trapping Devon Conway lbw while attempting a sweep.

Will Young attempted a reverse sweep right away, but by then, India began to find more assistance from the pitch.

Sensing the need to score quickly, both Tom Latham and Young kept the scoreboard ticking.

However, just before the tea break, Ashwin claimed the wicket of Young.

Given the challenging nature of the surface, the visitors are likely to adopt a similar approach after the break.