India Vs New Zealand 2nd Test, Day 2: India endure a forgettable afternoon on Day 2 of the 2nd Test match against New Zealand, as the Kiwis are holding a 300+ lead over the hosts in the series-decider at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune.
New Zealand are 198/5 after 53 overs at the conclusion of Day 2's play, and will carry this overnight score and lead of 301 on Day 3. India, on the other hand, did not just produce an ordinary performance with the ball, but also with the ball, as, apart from Washington Sundar, no other bowler managed to do much to trouble the Kiwi batters.
India's chances of winning the Test match are quite low, and can be extended to improbable, if New Zealand manage to register a lead of 400+, because the pitch is not getting any better, and the Indian batters are lacking form and consistency in the red-ball cricket as of late.
India Vs New Zealand 2nd Test, Day 2 | As It Happened
Indian batters arrived at the crease in the morning session with an overnight score of 16/1 after 11 overs, as the onus was on the pair of Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal to provide the hosts with a successful start.
The duo added merely 34 runs to their overnight score, as Shubman Gill fell prey to Mitchell Santner, and was soon followed by Virat Kohli, who continues his poor form across all formats.
Much was expected from last match's heroes — Rishabh Pant and Sarfaraz Khan, but even the in-form keeping duo could not help the cause of the Indian team and departed for 18 and 11 respectively.
A fightback from Ravindra Jadeja helped the hosts cross the 150-run mark, but Mitchell Santner proved to be too good, as he attained his career-best figures of 7/53 to bundle out India for 156.
Tom Latham led his side from the front with the bat, as his exceptional 86 has helped the Kiwis pose a lead of 300+, and New Zealand ended their day at 198/5.