Mitchell Santner Shines in Pune
New Zealand’s Historic Test Series Win Against India
In a remarkable display of skill, New Zealand’s left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner took 13 wickets in Pune, ending India’s long-standing dominance in home Tests. This performance ranks among the top match figures by a visiting bowler in India. Santner’s 13/157 helped New Zealand secure a historic series victory, marking the first time since 2012 that India has lost a Test series at home.
According to Wisden, Santner achieved his career’s first five-wicket haul in the second Test, claiming seven wickets in the first innings alone. This was the first time he had taken more than three wickets in an innings, coming in his 29th Test match; his previous best was 3/34 against South Africa earlier this year.
On a spin-friendly pitch, Santner’s controlled pace and accuracy were crucial. His first-innings haul of 7/53 dismantled India’s batting order, and he maintained his dominance in the second innings with figures of 6/104, delivering 29 consecutive overs. India’s chase, led by Yashasvi Jaiswal’s quickfire 77 off 65 balls, fell 103 runs short as Santner’s tight bowling and a crucial run-out of Rishabh Pant for a duck sealed New Zealand’s victory.
Santner’s match figures of 13/157 place him third among visiting bowlers in India. England’s Ian Botham took 13/106 in 1980, holding the second spot, while Santner’s compatriot Ajaz Patel tops the list with 14/225 in 2021, which included a rare 10-wicket haul in an innings. Santner’s figures are also the third-best by a New Zealand bowler in Test history, following Ajaz Patel’s 14-wicket feat and Richard Hadlee’s 15/123 against Australia in 1985-86. His performance cements his place among New Zealand’s finest Test bowlers and adds another memorable chapter to their Test cricket history.
Doubts Revealed
Mitchell Santner -: Mitchell Santner is a cricketer from New Zealand. He is known for his left-arm spin bowling, which means he uses his left hand to spin the ball when he bowls.
Pune -: Pune is a city in India, located in the state of Maharashtra. It is known for its educational institutions and cultural heritage.
Test Series -: A Test series in cricket is a set of matches played between two teams. Each match can last up to five days, and the team that wins the most matches wins the series.
13 wickets -: Taking 13 wickets means that Mitchell Santner got 13 players from the opposing team out during the matches. This is a significant achievement in cricket.
Spin-friendly pitch -: A spin-friendly pitch is a cricket field surface that helps spin bowlers. Spin bowlers make the ball turn or spin when it hits the ground, making it harder for batsmen to play.
Five-wicket haul -: A five-wicket haul is when a bowler takes five or more wickets in a single innings. It is considered a great achievement for a bowler in cricket.
