Cricket: Black Caps on cusp of historic series victory in India

New Zealand is on the cusp of handing India their first home-series loss in 12 years, with the visitors holding a commanding 301-run lead two days into the second Test in Pune.

It was a day that belonged to Mitchell Santner, with the Kiwi spinner taking career-best figures of 7/53 on Friday as India were rolled for 156 runs.

With the Black Caps having posted 259 in their first innings, captain Tom Latham then drove home their advantage with a valuable knock of 86 runs, taking New Zealand through to 198/5 at stumps on day two.

India began on 16/1 and built nicely through to 50/1 before Shubman Gill (30) fell lbw to Santner.

Virat Kohli (1) was bowled by Santner in bizarre fashion soon after, with the Indian No.4 missing a full toss just nine balls in.

The rest of the middle order made starts but failed to capitalise, as Rishabh Pant (18), Sarfaraz Khan (11) and Ravindra Jadeja (38) all fell victim to the Kiwi spin.

Santner then got stuck into the tail on a pitch that favoured him, ripping through Ravichandran Ashwin (4), Akash Deep (6) and Jasprit Bumrah (0), leaving Washington Sundar (18*) the only player to survive New Zealand’s spin attack on Friday.

“I think I was in more of a shock getting Kohli out with a full toss, he doesn’t usually miss those,” said Santner of his surprising wicket on day two.

“It was slightly slower through the air, I just tried to change it up a little bit but usually if you bowl those they go for six so.

“There was obviously a little bit there which was nice.

“I think the change in pace was key today and the Indian spinners bowled pretty good areas with the change in pace.”

New Zealand were much more composed against India’s spin attack in response, and while five wickets did fall to Washington (4/56) and Ashwin (1/64), they were able to score at a healthy rate and quickly extend their lead.

Latham received good company from Devon Conway (17) initially, then Will Young (23), Rachin Ravindra (9) and Daryl Mitchell (18).

After the Kiwi captain was caught lbw by Washington, wicketkeeper Tom Blundell (30*) and Glenn Phillips (9*) held out until stumps.

Heading into day three, cricket bookmakers have swung their odds dramatically in the Black Caps’ favour compared to the pre-match markets.

New Zealand sits at -250 to win the Test – which would be their first-ever Test series win in India – while the hosts are at +187 to pull off a come-from-behind victory.

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