NEW DELHI: It’s a rare sight when the hunter becomes the hunted. India, known for dominating opponents at home, particularly on spin-friendly, dusty tracks, found themselves at the mercy of Mitchell Santner’s spin.
After bowling New Zealand out for 259 on the turning surface of Pune’s Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, India’s batters faltered, collapsing like a house of cards to only 156 runs, conceding a substantial 103-run lead in the second Test.India are already trailing 0-1 in the three-match series after losing the Bengaluru Test by eight wickets.
The dismissals of key players – Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, and Ravindra Jadeja – reignited discussions about India’s struggles against spin.
This is not the first time Team India, despite preparing turning tracks for their opponents, have fallen into their own trap. Let’s have a look at some of the previous instances:
INDIA vs AUSTRALIA, 3RD TEST, 2023, INDORE
The third Test between India and Australia during the 2023 Border-Gavaskar Trophy was a pivotal encounter, with Aussies securing a nine-wicket victory. Entering the match with confidence after winning the first two Tests, India faced an big challenge on the spinning track at Indore’s Holkar Stadium.
From Day 1, the pitch began to turn, allowing Australia’s spinners to exploit the conditions.
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In India’s first innings, Nathan Lyon and Matthew Kuhnemann led the Australian spin attack, bowling out the Indian side for just 109.
Australia’s response was anchored by Usman Khawaja’s gritty performance, along with contributions from Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith.
Although India’s spinners, led by Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, attempted to fight back, Australia established a crucial first-innings lead.
In their second innings, Lyon wreaked havoc again, claiming eight wickets. India ultimately lost the match by nine wickets but went on to win the series 2-1.
INDIA vs ENGLAND, 1ST TEST, 2024, HYDERABAD
The pitch at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad provided turn and bounce as the match progressed.
England batted first, posting a competitive total of 246, bolstered by solid innings from Ben Duckett and Jonny Bairstow, along with an aggressive lower-order contribution from Ben Stokes. India’s spinners, Ashwin and Jadeja, managed to contain the English batters, sharing six wickets between them, while Axar Patel added two more.
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In reply, India scored 436, with half-centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, and Ravindra Jadeja, establishing a healthy lead.
England, in their second innings, showcased determination, led by a brilliant knock from Ollie Pope, who scored 196 runs, setting India a challenging target. In their chase, India struggled against Tom Hartley’s clever spin, collapsing for just 202 runs. England clinched the match by 28 runs.
INDIA vs ENGLAND, 1ST TEST, 2021, CHENNAI
The opening Test between India and England in Chennai in 2021 saw England secure a comprehensive 227-run victory, taking an early lead in the four-match series.
England’s performance was spearheaded by an outstanding double-century from skipper Joe Root, who scored a magnificent 218, helping the team post a formidable 578 in their first innings.
In response, India’s batting struggled against the English bowlers. Dom Bess (4/76) and Jack Leach (2/105) spun webs around the Indian lineup, bowling the hosts out for 337 runs, giving England a significant lead.
India’s second innings saw another collapse, with the team bowled out for just 192 runs, largely due to Jack Leach’s four-wicket haul. England won the match by 227 runs.
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