IND vs NZ 2024: Mitchell Santner’s seven-fer questions India’s preparation for home conditions

The Rohit Sharma-led side once again crumbled against New Zealand's quality bowling attack. In the first Test in Bengaluru, the Indian batting unit disappointed in the first innings, getting bundled for only 46 runs. In the second Test in Pune, the hosts prepared a spin-friendly track to put New Zealand on the backfoot but it turned out to be hell for the Indian batters. The top order disappointed once again as they failed to read the line and the middle order, which looked impressive in Bengaluru too couldn’t prove themselves.

Kiwi spinner Mitchell Santner ran havoc as the Indian players had no idea how to deal with him. Ravindra Jadeja was the only one who impressed with some quality shots but the southpaw departed for 38 runs following Santner’s brilliance. Overall, he picked up seven wickets, which of - Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Sarfaraz Khan, Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Akash Deep and Jasprit Bumrah. 

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Mitchell Santner's career-best bowling performance gives New Zealand a handy lead.#WTC25 | #INDvNZ 📝: https://t.co/5AfwSLrhyk pic.twitter.com/3B5a4VxAR7

— ICC (@ICC) October 25, 2024

Also Read - There was nothing great about the ball that dismissed Rohit Sharma: Dinesh Karthik

India were bundled for 156 runs in the first innings as New Zealand managed a lead of 103 runs. After a defeat in the first Test, the hosts were expected to make a comeback in the second Test, especially in spin-friendly conditions but their batters didn’t look ready to tackle New Zealand spinners and that resulted in getting bundled in 46 overs.

Career-best Test figures of 7-53 for Mitchell Santner! His maiden Test five-wicket bag and the third best Test figures by a New Zealander in India 🤝 #INDvNZ #CricketNation 📸 BCCI pic.twitter.com/K6N21IQY6t

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) October 25, 2024

The onus once again falls on the bowling unit as they need to produce an extraordinary performance to bring themselves back into the contest. New Zealand in the first innings scored 259 runs as Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra had a good time in the middle, scoring a half-century each. Both will be extremely crucial for the BlackCaps once again.

Meanwhile, India’s batters need to step up big time, particularly the top order. They did well in the series against Bangladesh and Rohit and Virat hit a half-century each in the Bengaluru Test but that isn’t enough as India went to suffer a defeat. They need to turn the tables in the second innings, or else it might even hurt them in the WTC points table.