New Delhi: Team India will be facing a tough test when they come out on the field at the MCA stadium in Pune on Thursday to lock horns with New Zealand in the second Test match of the the series. The game holds a lot of significance for the hosts as they lost the first Test match at Bengaluru by 8 wickets. So as to keep the series alive, India would be eyeing a victory in the Pune Test and prove their prowess in the longest format once again.
While the Bangladesh Test series elevated the confidence of the side after they registered a series sweep, the first Test against the Kiwis pushed India against the wall, though the side coming up with a fine show in the second innings after getting cheaply out for just 46 runs in the first innings. The Rohit Sharma-led side looks confident and charged up as they have been practicing hard from the past two days at the MCA stadium.
Team India aim to keep record intact
Team India have never lost two matches in a row against New Zealand at home and the Men in Blue would be eager to keep that record intact. India need to mend the mistakes they made in the Test match, especially the first innings and take some positives, especially in batting from their second innings. Ahead of the must-win fixture for India, let’s take a look at some of the records of the Indian team at the MCA stadium in Pune in Test matches.
Highest total
India’s score of 601/5d against South Africa in October 2019 Test match is the highest total by any team in an innings at Pune stadium.
Result summary
In a total of two Test matches played at the MCA stadium in Pune, India have bagged victory in one while faced defeat in the other Test match.
Most runs
Virat Kohli tops the list of players with most runs scored in Test matches at MCA stadium in Pune. The star batter has scored 267 runs from three innings with a stunning average of 133.50.
Most wickets
India’s legendary spinner Ravichandran Ashwin leads the bowling charts in Test with as many as 13 wickets from two matches at the MCA stadium in Pune.
Most catches
The record for the most catches at the MCA stadium in Pune is also held by India’s top two players – Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Both Rohit and Kohli have three catches each to their names.
Highest individual score
The record for the highest individual score is held by Virat Kohli. He scored unbeaten 254 from 336 balls against South Africa in 2019.
