2 weeks Ago By Reuters
India collapsed to a humiliating series defeat at home, their first for 12 years, when New Zealand beat them by 113 runs in Pune to take an unassailable 2-0 lead. Mitchell Santner took 6 for 104, finishing with 13 wickets in the match, to set up an historic win that was sealed when his senior spin partner Ajaz Patel claimed the last two Indian wickets. It was a stunning defeat for India, who were dismantled by eight wickets in seamer-friendly conditions in the opening match at Bengaluru and have now suffered their first series loss on home soil since falling to England in 2012.
Their proud run of 18 successive home series wins was ended by an inspired New Zealand, who were by far the better side in both matches and will target a clean sweep when the third Test begins in Mumbai on Friday. New Zealand have defeated India! ✅ This is the first time New Zealand have beaten India on their home turf, marking India’s first home series loss in 12 years. A remarkable achievement for New Zealand! 🇳🇿🤯 #INDvNZ pic.
twitter.com/gXFD24WHG2 India needed 359 to win, a tough task on a black-soil turner at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium where spinners wreaked havoc. They made a blazing start as Yashasvi Jaiswal smacked some spectacular boundaries, but his dismissal for 77 by Santner and Rishabh Pant’s run out for a duck left India in deep trouble at 127 for 4.
Santner, who had earlier removed Rohit Sharma for eight and Shubman Gill for 23, continued to torment India and trapped trump card Virat Kohli LBW for 17. Sarfaraz Khan was unable to recreate his batting heroics from the opening match, perishing for nine after missing a low delivery from Santner, who took his second five-for of the game. Washington Sundar fell for 21 to Glenn Phillips and Santner had Ravichandran Ashwin caught for a solid 18 to leave India staring down the barrel at 206 for 8.
Ravindra Jadeja made New Zealand wait with a defiant 42, but when he was well caught at long on by Tim Southee, India’s fate was sealed. New Zealand had made 255 in their second innings, thanks mainly to 86 from their captain Tom Latham and some handy contributions in the lower middle-order. Tom Blundell made 41 and the irrepressible Phillips hit two sixes in an unbeaten 48.
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