India’s vulnerabilities against high-quality spin bowling were starkly highlighted, as the team found itself on the brink of suffering its inaugural home Test series defeat to New Zealand. This predicament arose after the visitors established a commanding 301-run advantage on the second day of the second Test held on Friday. Tom Latham played a pivotal role in New Zealand’s batting performance, scoring 86 runs, while Mitchell Santner’s exceptional bowling figures of 7 for 53 dismantled the Indian batting lineup. Latham’s innings was instrumental in extending New Zealand’s first-innings lead to a substantial 103 runs, as they concluded the day at 198 for 5. At the close of play, Tom Blundell remained unbeaten on 30, alongside Glenn Phillips, who had yet to score. Despite the overwhelming challenges faced by the Indian side, Washington Sundar’s impressive form provided a glimmer of hope; he achieved a total of 11 wickets in the match, having added four more to his outstanding first-innings tally of seven.
India struggles against spin in the test series against New Zealand.
