The Indian team is under pressure on the second day of the match due to another weak batting performance in their first innings. By the end of the day’s play, New Zealand has scored 198 runs with five wickets down, leading by 301 runs overall. Glenn Phillips is not out at 9 runs, and Tom Blundell is batting at 30. To have a chance at winning, India will need to bowl New Zealand out as quickly as possible on day three. Chasing a target over 300 in the fourth innings would be a big challenge for any team.
IND vs NZ Test 2 Day 2: India’s Batting Collapse
In India’s innings, New Zealand’s spinner Mitchell Santner delivered his best career performance, taking seven wickets for just 53 runs. This resulted in India being bowled out for only 156 runs at the MCA Stadium. In New Zealand’s innings so far, Washington Sundar has taken 4 wickets for 56 runs, while Ravichandran Ashwin took one for 64. However, India’s control has started to weaken. Ravindra Jadeja has given away 50 runs and Jasprit Bumrah 25, but neither has managed to take a wicket yet.
IND vs NZ Test 2 Day 2: Latham’s Crucial Inning
New Zealand’s opener Tom Latham scored 86 runs, hitting 10 boundaries in his 133-ball innings, before getting out. Tom Blundell has also troubled India’s bowlers, and with a first-innings lead of 103 runs, every run now adds more pressure on India. Devon Conway was out for 17, Will Young for 23, Rachin Ravindra for 9, and Daryl Mitchell for 18.
India Needs to Shine on Day Three
India must put up a strong bowling performance in the first session of the third day. So far, only Sundar and Ashwin have taken wickets in this match, while Bumrah, Jadeja, and Akash Deep are yet to get one. A good spell by the Indian bowlers could boost their chances.
New Zealand Aiming for Historic Series Win in India After 68 Years
New Zealand is close to making history by winning their first Test series in India in 68 years. Their batsmen seem comfortable on this pitch, which has posed challenges to India’s star-studded batting lineup. Earlier in the series, India collapsed for just 46 runs in a Test match in Bengaluru, suffering a rare home defeat to New Zealand after 36 years.
Also read: R Ashwin Surpasses Nathan Lyon to Become 7th Highest Wicket-Taker in Test History
