Mitchell Santner made history with his remarkable 7/53 against India in Pune, marking the second-best figures by a New Zealand spinner in Test innings. Santner’s performance showcased his skill and resilience, cementing his place in New Zealand cricket records. With a mix of consistent bowling and precise strategies, Santner led his team’s defense effectively against India’s batting line-up.

Santner’s spectacular spell

In just his 29th Test, Mitchell Santner achieved his career-best figures, surprising fans with a late-blooming brilliance. His 7/53 stands just behind Ajaz Patel’s iconic 10/119 against India in 2021, also in India. Santner’s control over the game was demonstrated through his four LBW dismissals, a rare feat that matches records set by international bowlers like Steve O’Keefe in India back in 2017. His wicket-taking prowess was especially noteworthy for reaching this milestone so early on, having claimed 54 wickets in Test cricket to date, making him third in line after John Reid and Richard Collinge for the most wickets at the time of a maiden five-wicket haul.

Record-breaking spinners in action

The Pune Test showcased exceptional performances from both sides, with Washington Sundar and Mitchell Santner each claiming seven-wicket hauls in the first two innings of a Test—a rare achievement not seen in over 25 years. The game saw an astounding 19 wickets taken by spinners across the first two innings, tying for the second most on Indian soil. Santner’s precision and Sundar’s dynamic bowling speeds added a unique layer of excitement to the match, with both players maintaining an impressive average wicket-ball speed. While Indian spinners averaged around 90 kph, Santner’s 82.7 kph strategy proved highly effective.

See Also: Bengal coach reveals Mohammed Shami's fitness status

India’s challenging Test series continues

India's struggle with conceding high first-innings leads has become a pattern. This Test marked the second consecutive instance, following Bengaluru, where India allowed over 100 runs in a first-innings lead. This scenario recalls the famous 2001 series against Australia, where India came back from a significant lead at Eden Gardens to secure a historic victory. With Santner's record-breaking performance and India’s ongoing challenge in managing early leads, this Test series continues to be one for the books.