India suffered an embarrasing first in 23 years against New Zealand in Pune
Photo : AP
The Indian cricket team are heading towards an embarrasing defeat in the Pune Test after another shambolic outing with the bat on Friday (October 25). After New Zealand posted a total of 259 on the board, the hosts were bowled out for just 156 meaning they conceded a 103-run first innings lead.
While the Indian batters struggled on a pitch that seemed a paradise for spinners, the New Zealand batters have looked comfortable in the second innings and have set themselves up for a big score. India’s target is set to be far above the 300-run mark which has put them on the brink of losing their first home series in 12 years.
India’s Embarrasing First In 23 Years
The events of the first innings mean that India have conceded a 100+ first-innings lead for the first time in 23 years in back-to-back home Tests. The last time a similar feat occurred was in the famous series against Australia in 2001 when India went behind by more than 100 runs in the Mumbai Test defeat and the miraculous victory in the Kolkata Test.
For those unversed, India lost the first Test against Zealand in Bengaluru by eight wickets after being bowled out for 46 in the first innings. They conceded 402 runs meaning New Zealand took a massive 356-run lead. India put up a strong fight in the third innings by scoring 462 but the Black Caps chased the target of 107 with ease.
Talking about the ongoing match, Washington Sundar made a dream comeback to the team by taking a seven-wicket haul to ensure India restricted New Zealand to a low score in the first innings. However, the Indian batters had another day to forget with Ravindra Jadeja’s knock of 38 being the top score. Shubman Gill and Yashavi Jaiswal made 30 runs each while Rishabh Pant was dismissed for a knock of 18 while Sarfaraz Khan made just 11 runs.
Former captain Virat Kohli contributed just one run while skipper Rohit Sharma was dismissed for a duck.
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