The just-concluded Test series between India and New Zealand was pretty wild, ending with the home team losing by quite a big margin. India lost a home Test series after 12 years. The second Test played at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune from October 24 to 26, 2024. It saw New Zealand emerge victorious to win their first-ever Test series in India, winning by 2-0.
So, the series began at Bengaluru and New Zealand totally bashed, as they won with an eight-wicket margin. India’s batting was a disaster and only managed to score a pathetic 46 runs in their first inning. Big names like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Rishabh Pant did not even step onto the board. Sarfaraz Khan, hero of the last match couldn’t save India this time. New Zealand came back strong and put up a massive 402 runs in their first inning while their bowlers really stepped up.
In the second Test in Pune, New Zealand’s spinner Mitchel Santner did a super job; it was a match in which he took 13 wickets. Against India, he bowled them out for 156 runs. Indians were no better in the second innings; they were all bowled over in their attempt to chase down 359 to just 245 runs. One guy literally tried to put up a fight to a score of 38 runs.
New Zealand batsmen took complete control. They declared their second innings at 259 for 5, making the task of India to chase quite handy.
India’s batting problems really told throughout the series. The reason they failed to beat New Zealand largely was because they could not cope with its spin attack. These Indian batsmen never got accustomed to the turning pitch, and out of form was written all over them against spinners.
New Zealand’s Historic Win
This helped New Zealand not only secure a win in Pune by 113 runs but also take a 2-0 lead in the series. For the record, it is New Zealand’s first Test series win in India as they had never achieved such a feat since they first toured. The Kiwis really proved what they were made of – showing how well prepared and adaptable they are – and totally outplayed India on their home turf.
India losing the Test series to New Zealand is a big cricketing deal. That wild 12-year unbeaten run at home is finally over, and this would be the first-ever series win by New Zealand in India. The whole series was totally exciting and really goes to show just how tough and determined both teams were. The penultimate Test coming up will thus be more exhilirating cricket while giving India the chance to bounce back.
