In the ongoing 2nd Test match against New Zealand in Pune, India finds itself in a challenging position at lunchtime on Day 2, having scored 107 runs for the loss of 7 wickets. The team is currently trailing by over 150 runs, with Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar at the crease, fighting to stabilize the innings.
New Zealand on top
New Zealand’s bowlers have been relentless, with Mitchell Santner leading the charge with 4 wickets. He was well-supported by Glenn Philips who took 2 wickets, and Tim Southee, who dismissed Indian skipper Rohit Sharma on Day 1. The early fall of key players has put India on the back foot, with notable contributions from Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill, both scoring 30 runs each, while Virat Kohli’s struggle continued as he was dismissed for just 1 run. Rishabh Pant managed 18 runs, Sarfaraz Khan added 11, and Ravichandran Ashwin fell for a mere 4 runs.
On Day 1, India ended the day at 16 for 1, trailing by 243 runs, with Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal at the crease. The downfall began when Rohit Sharma fell to a stunning delivery from Tim Southee. Earlier, India’s bowling attack excelled, with Washington Sundar claiming 7 wickets, derailing the New Zealand batting lineup that had reached 197 for 3 at one point. Ravichandran Ashwin contributed with 3 wickets as India looked to keep the series alive after losing the first Test in Bengaluru by 8 wickets.
With India in a precarious position, the team will need a resilient effort from Jadeja and Sundar to build a competitive total and regain momentum in the match.