The Indian squad has dominated domestic Test cricket. Since 2012, they have not lost a Test series at home, and since 2013, they have only suffered three home losses. However, the record appears to be in jeopardy because New Zealand won the first Test in Bengaluru and could surpass India in the current Test in Pune.
The hosts gave up a lead of over 100 runs on both occasions, which is a startling feature of New Zealand’s supremacy and India’s struggles in the current series. The tourists took a 356-run lead in the opening Test. With five wickets remaining, New Zealand had a 301-run lead at the close of Day 2 of the Pune Test.
As a result of these events, one statistic that has surfaced is that, for the first time since 2001, India has given up a lead of more than 100 runs on multiple occasions. It is important to remember that New Zealand chose to bat first after winning the toss in the second Test. The Kiwis were bowled out by the hosts for 259 runs, but they were unable to do the same with the bat.
India could soon lose their long-standing home record.
Only 156 was scored as a result of the Indian batters’ struggles. Tom Latham spearheaded the attack with 86 runs as other batters made brief appearances, giving the team a 103-run lead. The BlackCaps lost five wickets during the process, but Glenn Phillips and Tom Blundell were still undefeated at nine and thirty, respectively. With an advantage of 301 runs at the close of Day 2, the tourists scored 198/5.
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Ravichandran Ashwin contributed one wicket for India, while Washington Sundar claimed four. In the first innings, Sundar also played a vital role, helping India avoid a series loss by recording career-best figures of 7/59.