IND vs NZ 2nd Test: New Zealand’s Historic Win Break 12-Year Streak: New Zealand emphatically overcame India in the second Test in Pune, earning the first series victory in India after a decade. This victory cut short the 12 years, 18 series, and 4331 consecutive days. India has ruled their opponents ever since 2012. For New Zealand, who last won a Test series in India in 1988, this was a remarkable achievement since it also came when their ICC World Test Championship (WTC) campaign was underway and was their first away series win in that WTC cycle.
IND vs NZ 2nd Test: India’s home record is broken
This year has proven to be a testing one for Indian Test cricket. In 2024, it would be the first time since 1983 that India has lost three home Tests in a calendar year—two of them to New Zealand and one to England. The defeat also equals India’s record for the second-highest number of home test losses in a row. In 1969, India recorded losses in four home matches. The ongoing season highlights the home-ground disadvantages that India has suffered in the recent past to unprecedented levels.
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Rohit Sharma`s Impeccable Home Captaincy record comes to an End
For the Indian team’s captain Rohit Sharma, the loss in the second test in Pune meant the end of a perfect home Test record. This series loss has also seen Rohit become the first Indian captain in the 21st century to lose most home Test matches with four. In comparison, MS Dhoni lost just one of the eleven home series he has ever played as a captain. While Virat Kohli guarded his hosted series of eleven with no loss. This series, however, comes as Rohit’s first home series loss in five as India’s Test side captain.
Mitchell Santner’s record-breaking performance in 2nd Test
The victory of New Zealand was achieved significantly thanks to the performance provided by Mitchell Santner. He took 13 wickets in the match, recording the third-best match figures by a spinner in India as a visiting player. Only New Zealand Ajaz Patel’s (14/225) Mumbai record of 2021 is better than that of Santner (13/143). In addition, Santner’s figures of 13/143 have also made him the second spinner from New Zealand to achieve a five-wicket haul in both innings. This was only achieved by Daniel Vettori in the history of test cricket in New Zealand.
This Test win, which is an addition to New Zealand’s tally in the WTC points table, is a brisk addition to their impressive away record. The Black Caps have proved their mettle in the spin-dominated conditions and the sub-continental pitches of India.
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Future Challenges and India’s resolve to make a comeback
The coming final Test in Mumbai is another important match for India. India is looking to steady their WTC position following this historic home series defeat. For the first time in several years, India finds itself in a position where it must change its approach. India has to make use of its home advantage to seal the series and stay in the WTC race.
