Wednesday, November 27
Former cricketer Atul Wassan expressed sympathy for India's head coach Gautam Gambhir after India suffered its first home Test series loss since 2012, falling 0-2 to New Zealand. Wassan is shocked by the defeat, particularly upsetting as India was previously expecting to win and New Zealand had recently lost to Sri Lanka.
Virat Kohli’s recent struggles in Test cricket, marked by poor form and lack of big scores, have contributed significantly to India's challenges. With Kohli needing to regain form quickly, especially ahead of the Australia series, his performance become crucial for the team’s stability and success.
Indian batters got the taste of their own medicine as the Kiwi spin attack led by Mitchell Santner, who took 13 wickets in the match, trapped the hosts in their own spin trap and defeated India by 113 runs to secure the series 2-0 with a game to go.
Chasing fourth-innings targets above 300 has been challenging for India at home, with only one successful chase out of 26 instances. In the ongoing Test series against New Zealand, India faces a difficult task, needing 359 runs in Pune after conceding a first-innings lead and struggling with the bat. New Zealand won the first Test in Bengaluru by eight wickets to take 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
India needs 359 runs to win the second Test after bowling out New Zealand for 255, with Ravindra Jadeja taking quick wickets and contributing a run-out. India's first innings struggle, highlighted by a top score of 38 runs from Jadeja, set up a challenging chase.
Team India faces a daunting challenge in the second Test against New Zealand, trailing 0-1 in the series. Despite restricting New Zealand to 259, India faltered with the bat, scoring only 156. New Zealand, bolstered by Tom Latham's 68, ended their second innings at 255, setting India a target of 359 runs to win the Pune Test.
