Mitch Santner Becomes First New Zealand Bowler To Grab 2 Five-Wicket Hauls In A Test Vs India

Santner picked up a fifer in the 2nd innings [Source: PTI]

Mitchell Santner turned out to be India's nemesis, but this time in the game's longest format. The Kiwi spinner was at his imperial best in the Pune Test as the Indian batters failed to read him and threw their wickets to a supreme bowler.

The 32-year-old spinner was added in the playing XI in place of Matt Henry, and the spinner responded with a 7 wickets in the first innings. He gave away just 53 runs inside 20 overs and was the chief destroyer with the ball as the Indian batters looked clueless in front of him.

He came back to haunt the Indian side once again in the second innings and has already grabbed another 5-wicket haul to push India on the verge of defeat. With the surface assisting the spinners, Santner picked key Indian wickets and has almost sealed the series for the Kiwis.

With this herculean efforts, Santner became the first New Zealand bowler to take 2 five-wicket hauls Vs India in the same Test match.

No other Kiwi cricketer has achieved this feat before, with R Ashwin being the only bowler to have taken 5 wickets twice in a single Test match between India and New Zealand.

India on the verge of embarrassing defeat

Chasing a tricky 359, India have already lost 7 wickets, and are staring at an embarrassing defeat. They lost the first Test in Bengaluru and have been outplayed here as well, with Santner doing most of the damage.

If India lose the Test match, Tom Latham will become the first Kiwi skipper to win a series in India.  historical achievement if and when it comes true. For India, their WTC finale spot will still remain in their own hands, but the importance of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Series will double, since India still need to win 4 Tests to seal their place in WTC finale.

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