In a gripping encounter at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune, Team India’s middle-order batter, Sarfaraz Khan, found himself once again outmanoeuvred by New Zealand‘s left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner. This dismissal came during the second innings of the second Test match, where Sarfaraz managed only a low score of 9 runs, contributing to India’s struggles in the ongoing series. With the team trailing 0-1 after losing the first Test, they are now on the brink of defeat in this match, needing to chase down a daunting target of 359 runs.

Mitchell Santner gets Sarfaraz Khan

The Indian batting lineup faced a significant challenge in their fourth innings, losing seven wickets for just 178 runs. The situation became increasingly dire as Sarfaraz was dismissed on the second ball of the 36th over. Santner delivered a slow, flighted ball that straightened after pitching, evading Sarfaraz’s outside edge and striking the off stump. This marked Santner’s second consecutive five-wicket haul in the match, further solidifying his status as a key player for New Zealand.

Also WATCH: Ravindra Jadeja pulls off an MS Dhoni to run out William O’Rourke on Day 3 of the second Test

Here’s the video:

It ain’t the pitch, its Mitch 🤷🏻‍♂️#INDvNZ #IDFCFirstBankTestTrophy #TeamIndia #Santner #JioCinemaSports pic.twitter.com/3KUKUszQfM

— JioCinema (@JioCinema) October 26, 2024

Ravindra Jadeja: The lone warrior

As India’s hopes dimmed, Ravindra Jadeja stood as the last recognized batter at the crease. With more than 130 runs still needed for victory, Jadeja faced an uphill battle against a formidable New Zealand bowling attack. The lower order, featuring Akash Deep and Jasprit Bumrah, to offer a little to no assurance as India lost Jadeja on 42 losing the series and the Pune Test by 113 runs margin.

Support for Sarfaraz Khan from the commentary box

Despite his recent struggles, former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has voiced strong support for Sarfaraz’s inclusion in the squad for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia. Chopra acknowledged Sarfaraz’s commendable performances against England and emphasized that his selection should be considered given his potential contributions to the team. However, he expressed uncertainty about whether Sarfaraz would make it into the playing XI for Australia.

“In the squad, yes; in the playing XI, we don’t know yet,” Chopra stated during a media interaction. He noted that with a five-Test match series ahead, having a larger squad might be beneficial. “Sarfaraz has shown promise whenever he has played; there is no reason to speculate that he won’t be part of the touring squad,” he added.

As India grapples with these challenges on home soil, their chances of winning this Test series hang by a thread. The team’s batting woes continue to plague them, with their inability to post substantial totals proving costly. With New Zealand poised for a historic series win in India—something that hasn’t happened in over a decade—the pressure is mounting on Rohit Sharma and his men to regroup and respond effectively.

Also READ: IND vs NZ: Mitchell Santner scripts history with Virat Kohli’s wicket in the Pune Test

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