PUNE: New Zealand achieved a historic Test series win in India on Saturday, clinching a 113-run victory in Pune to go 2-0 up in the three-match series. This remarkable win marks New Zealand’s first-ever Test series triumph on Indian soil since their first visit in 1955 and ends India’s impressive 18-series unbeaten streak at home.
Led by the brilliant bowling of left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner, who took 7-53 in India’s first innings, the Black Caps displayed resilience to bowl out India for 245 on day three of the second Test, successfully defending a challenging target of 359.
Santner’s superb 6-104 in the second innings rattled India on a pitch that seemed tailor-made for spin, as he outclassed Indian spinners and dismantled the home side’s batting order.
“Immensely proud to be in a position of winning two Test matches here. Proud of the group,” said New Zealand captain Tom Latham. “A lot of New Zealand teams have come over the past 69 years and 13 series, and to be the first team to win a series here is special.”
India, who entered the series as favorites with the longest consecutive series-win streak at home, struggled to keep up with the spirited Kiwi side.
Indian skipper Rohit Sharma acknowledged his team’s shortcomings, stating, “It is a collective failure. The team has failed to accept the challenge thrown at us… We lost the game and the series, that is hurting.”
India’s chase was bolstered briefly by opener Yashasvi Jaiswal’s aggressive 65-ball 77, which brought a glimmer of hope to the home crowd.
However, Santner dismissed Shubman Gill shortly after lunch and then claimed the crucial wicket of Jaiswal, catching him at slip after his rapid half-century. Santner went on to remove Virat Kohli and ran out Rishabh Pant.
Ajaz Patel joined the spin attack, taking the final two wickets and dismissing Ravindra Jadeja, who was caught out in the deep for 42, sealing the historic victory for the Black Caps. Patel’s late contributions complemented Santner’s heroics, securing New Zealand’s fourth Test win in India overall and their first since 1988.
New Zealand’s disciplined effort began with a modest first-innings total of 259, led by solid knocks from Devon Conway (76) and Rachin Ravindra (65). Santner’s seven-wicket haul in India’s first innings restricted the hosts to 156, a decisive moment in the series.
India’s spinners Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja performed well in New Zealand’s second innings, taking seven wickets between them, but the home side’s batting ultimately fell short.
The series concludes with the third Test starting November 1 at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, where New Zealand will look to complete a rare sweep on Indian soil.
