In a stunning turn of events, New Zealand’s cricket team has achieved what few teams have managed—defeating India in a Test series on Indian soil. With their 113-run win in the second Test in Pune, New Zealand now leads 2-0 in the three-match series, clinching their first-ever series win in India. This feat places them among an elite group, with only South Africa, Australia, and England previously managing a Test series win in India over the last 24 years.
This remarkable performance by the Kiwi team has ended India’s 12-year unbeaten home Test streak, creating a series of historic records and bringing New Zealand’s cricket journey in India full circle.
Mitchell Santner’s Record-Breaking Performance
One player who stood out was left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner. Known for his skill, Santner showcased an extraordinary display of spin bowling in Pune, taking a total of 13 wickets—7 in the first innings and 6 in the second. This series has seen Santner achieve career-defining milestones, making him one of the most successful foreign spinners on Indian soil.
- Career-Best Performance: Santner’s 13 wickets set a new record for him and gave him the most wickets taken in a Test match at Pune. He surpassed Australia’s Steve O’Keefe, who held the previous record with 12 wickets back in 2017.
- Historic Achievement for a Left-Arm Spinner: Santner’s feat made him the second most successful left-arm spinner in a Test match in India, with only his teammate Ajaz Patel taking more wickets (14 in a match at Mumbai in 2021).
For Santner, who had never previously taken five wickets in a single Test inning, this series marked an incredible personal achievement and highlighted his critical role in New Zealand’s victory.
End of India’s Home Winning Streak
Before this series, India had an impressive run of 18 consecutive Test series wins at home—a world record for the longest winning streak in Test history. New Zealand’s victory has now ended this dominant phase for India, marking the first time since 2012-13 that India has lost a home Test series. The result is a significant milestone for New Zealand, who have joined the ranks of teams that have broken India’s stronghold on home soil.
A Tough Outing for Team India
While New Zealand celebrated their historic win, India faced several challenges in the series, with captain Rohit Sharma’s performance being one of the main disappointments. Scoring only 8 runs across the two innings in Pune, Rohit recorded the lowest score for an Indian Test captain at home in 16 years. The last time an Indian captain scored so low was Anil Kumble, who managed only 5 runs against South Africa in 2008.
India has now lost three Tests at home in 2024 alone, marking the first time in 41 years that the team has faced this many defeats in a single year. The last occurrence of such a record was in 1983, making this year’s losses an unusual statistic for the current Indian team.
A Series of Records Broken
New Zealand’s triumph was not just about winning; it was a historic moment that saw several records being set or broken:
- Rare Series Win in India: New Zealand has now joined South Africa, Australia, and England as the only teams to win a Test series in India since 2000.
- First-Ever Series Win in India for New Zealand: Previously, New Zealand had only won two Test matches in India in nearly 70 years. This series win is a historic achievement for the team and cements their place as one of the few foreign teams to conquer India in their own backyard.
- India’s Lowest Score by a Captain: Rohit Sharma’s total of 8 runs marked an unfortunate record, setting the lowest score by an Indian Test captain at home in the last 16 years.
What’s Next?
With one match left in the series, New Zealand has already secured the series victory, but Team India will be looking to salvage some pride and avoid a 3-0 whitewash. The final Test offers India a chance to regain momentum, while New Zealand will aim to complete their memorable tour with another victory.
New Zealand’s historic win is a reminder of the power of teamwork and persistence. This series has brought new hope and excitement for the Kiwis, proving they can achieve greatness in challenging conditions.
