IND vs NZ: Mitchell Santner achieved a special feat as soon as he took Virat Kohli’s wicket, wreaked havoc in both the innings

India’s star batsman Virat Kohli is constantly struggling against spinners in Asian conditions and something similar was seen in the second innings of the second Test against New Zealand. While chasing 359 runs in the second Test match being played at the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium in Pune, Kohli could not bat well and was dismissed after scoring 17 runs off 40 balls.

Kohli was looking in good rhythm while chasing the target and he also shared a 20-run partnership for the fifth wicket with Washington Sundar. However, Santner proved to be effective in the second innings after the first innings and wreaked havoc. India suffered the fifth blow at 147 runs when Kohli was out LBW on Santner’s ball. As soon as Kohli was out, there was silence in the Pune stadium. Kohli, however, used DRS against the umpire’s decision, but the third umpire upheld the on-field umpire’s decision and Kohli had to return to the pavilion.

With the dismissal of Kohli, Santner became the first left-arm spin bowler to dismiss this Indian star batsman in both innings of a Test match. Santner did not stop here, he then bowled out Sarfaraz Khan and was successful in completing a five-wicket haul in the second innings as well. Earlier, Santner had taken seven wickets in the first innings of the second Test match. Santner became the first New Zealand spinner to take five or more wickets in both innings of the same Test on Indian soil. Before him, Australia’s Steve O’Keefe had completed a five-wicket haul in both innings against India in Pune itself.

New Zealand tightened its grip on India

Earlier, New Zealand’s second innings ended at 255 runs. In the first innings, this team had scored 259 runs. In response, the Indian team was all out at 156 runs in its first innings. In the second innings, the Kiwi team had a lead of 103 runs. In this sense, New Zealand’s total lead was 358 runs and a mountainous target was set in front of India. The Indian batting order looked weak against Santner in the second innings as well. Only Yashasvi Jaiswal was able to score a half-century, but the other batsmen could not make any impact. In this way, New Zealand has tightened its grip on India and the host team is in danger of losing a Test series at home after 12 years.