Pune: Indian batting suffered a dramatic collapse on Day 2 of the second Test at the Maharashtra Cricket Stadium (MCA) Stadium in Pune to be dismissed for a paltry 156 in the first innings. The New Zealand bowling attack, led by Mitchell Santner, decimated the Indian batting order and gave their team a handy 103-run lead.
India’s star-studded batting line-up was blown away by Santner, who picked up a career-best haul of 7 for 53 in 19.3 overs. Santner was ably supported by off-spinner Glenn Phillips (2/26 in 6 overs) as the Kiwi spin duo took nine wickets on Day 2 to stun the hosts.
India suffered a sensational collapse, losing their last nine wickets for just 106 runs after looking comfortable at 50 for one.
Shubman Gill (30) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (30) stitched a 49-run stand for the second wicket before six wickets fell for 53 runs as India slumped to 107 for 7 at lunch.
Virat Kohli’s dismissal was the most surprising one as the star batter got out while playing a forgettable shot of the morning to be clean bowled for 1.
The left-arm spinner continued his rampant form to dismiss Ravindra Jadeja (38) Akash Deep (6) and Jasprit Bumrah (0) cheaply.
As Indian batters fell like a pack of cards, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane started trending on social media. The seasoned players, who have been out of the reckoning for Test selection for quite a while now, were known for their grit, determination and strong defence, which Indian batters lacked this morning.
KL Rahul, Rahane and Pujara watching this match.#IndvsNZ pic.twitter.com/brJh58JLuV
— Rajabets 🇮🇳👑 (@smileagainraja) October 25, 2024
Pujara and rahane Rn #INDvsNZ pic.twitter.com/JjAUgkpZkb
— memes_hallabol (@memes_hallabol) October 25, 2024
Pujara and Rahane watching team India performance … 🤣👇#INDvsNZ pic.twitter.com/WRQPxUJqgk
— ShivRaj Yadav (@shivaydv_) October 25, 2024
We miss you Rahane and Pujara 💔😭 pic.twitter.com/ZjEjOWERRY
— CrickSachin (@Sachin_Gandhi7) October 25, 2024
Laut aao pujara rahane abb majak nai raha ye #INDvsNZ pic.twitter.com/ESqKVdvf0J
— Pranav // ( peter 1 ) (@franklypshankly) October 25, 2024
While the Indian batting line-up is filled with both young talent and experience, it, perhaps, lacks a player who can absorb pressure and hold the fort when the going gets tough. Both Rahane and Pujara made their name by scoring runs in tough situations and in the process bailing out the team on several instances.
