Rohit Sharma (Source – Getty Images)
The second Test of the ongoing three-game series between India and New Zealand ended with the visitors registering an emphatic victory at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune. Having lost the first Test, India had hoped to put in an improved performance in the second game and register a win.
However, all did not go to plan for the hosts. Conceding 259 runs in the first innings, India only managed to score 156 runs in response. Furthermore, New Zealand posted a total of 255 runs in the second innings, giving India a target of 359 runs to chase down.
However, the hosts did get off to a quickfire start to the run chase, but it all came crumbling down after a few wickets. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma opened the second innings for India and scored 77 and eight runs, respectively. Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli scored 23 and 17 runs, respectively, whereas Rishabh Pant was sent packing for a duck.
As all hope was pinned upon India’s lower-middle order, it was Washington Sundar who came in next to bat. However, he only managed to score 21 runs before he was dismissed. Ravindra Jadeja added 42 runs on the board, along with Ravichandran Ashwin, who added 18 runs as well. The Indian team was bundled out for a score of 245 runs in the second innings as New Zealand won the second Test by 113 runs and won the series as well.
Mitchell Santner was the highest wicket-taker for the visitors in the second innings, with six wickets to his name. Ajaz Patel and Glenn Phillips took two and one wicket, respectively, as well. Despite the series loss, the Indian team maintained their position at the top of the World Test Championship standings for now.
The side will hope for a consolation win in the third Test ahead of the much anticipated Border-Gavaskar series in Australia, starting from November 22.
Also Read: Top 10 Memes from IND vs NZ, Second Test
Updated WTC Points Table after the second IND v NZ Test:
| Pos. | Team | Matches | Won | Lost | Drawn | Points | PCT (%) |
| 1 | INDIA | 13 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 98 | 62.82 |
| 2 | AUSTRALIA | 12 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 90 | 62.50 |
| 3 | SRI LANKA | 9 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 60 | 55.56 |
| 4 | NEW ZEALAND | 10 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 60 | 50.00 |
| 5 | SOUTH AFRICA | 7 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 40 | 47.62 |
| 6 | ENGLAND | 19 | 9 | 9 | 1 | 93 | 40.79 |
| 7 | PAKISTAN | 10 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 40 | 33.33 |
| 8 | BANGLADESH | 9 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 33 | 30.56 |
| 9 | WEST INDIES | 9 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 20 | 18.52 |
*Last updated – Oct 26, 2024, after New Zealand’s win against India in Pune, 2nd Test