IND vs NZ: "Trying to put it in right areas," Mitchell Santner after 7/53 in first innings vs India in Pune test

Mitchell Santner picked his maiden test five-wicket haul in the ongoing Pune test.

New Zealand all-rounder Mitchell Santner displayed a superb performance with the ball in the Pune test against the Indian cricket team. The all-rounder bagged a seven-wicket haul on Day 2 of the match, bundling out team India for just 156 runs in their first innings.

Earlier in the match, New Zealand made 259 runs in the first innings while India off-spinner Washington Sundar claimed seven wickets on Day 1. Sundar’s heroic effort with the ball on Day 1 was mirrored by Mitchell Santner’s spin bowling masterclass on Day 2.

Santner registered his maiden five-wicket haul in test cricket, which helped his side take a huge lead. The left-arm spinner also registered the third-best bowling figures for his nation against the Indian cricket team in test cricket so far. 

Just tried to change the angles: Mitchell Santner after 7/53 in the first innings

After the end of Day 2, Mitchell Santer said that he changed his angles and varied his pace constantly. Santner further added that he had watched off-spinner Washington Sundar use the crease effectively by going wider and did the same.

“It’s a great feeling to put ourselves in a position of winning a Test match here. It doesn’t look easy and we knew partnerships were key, glad we could perform well today. We spoke about trying to find the right speed on this wicket, as the day went along the slower ones started to spin and it was about trying to put it in the right areas. (On bowling wide of the crease) Just tried to change the angles, induce the play and miss and vary it out. I watched Washi go wide of the crease earlier, tried to do the same,” Mitchell Santner said.

When Santner was asked about performing well in India, the all-rounder credited the spin-friendly tracks, which New Zealand spinners don’t get in their home conditions.

“(On performing well in India) I guess the pitches spin, which is nice. We don’t get that back home. The pitches here provide some good assistance for the spinners. I think the pitch is doing a little bit, it is not easy but we spoke about trying to fire shots and not sit there trying to scratch it out. On the flip side, I think when we bowl in the second innings, India will also try to place some shots. We just need to be accurate,” Mitchell Santner concluded.

New Zealand dominate the Pune test against India

After making 259 runs in the first innings, the visitors bowled India out for just 156 runs as Santner claimed seven wickets and Glenn Phillips bagged two wickets.

In the second innings, New Zealand skipper Tom Latham played a gusty knock of 86. His knock helped the visitors end Day 2 on a high note. At stumps on Day 2, the Black Caps are at 198-5 in 53 overs with Tom Blundell (30*) and Glenn Phillips (9*). Their lead is 301 runs.

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