The first half of Day 2 in the second Test between India and New Zealand firmly belonged to the Kiwis, as the hosts struggled to cope with the relentless spin attack, particularly from Mitchell Santner. The left-arm spinner was simply unplayable, finishing with impressive figures of 7 for 53 in just 19.3 overs at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune. His exceptional performance played a pivotal role in dismantling the Indian batting lineup.

This dramatic collapse led former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull to challenge a common belief about Indian batsmen’s ability to handle spin. During the commentary, Doull compared modern players to legendary figures such as Sachin Tendulkar, highlighting a stark contrast between past and present eras.

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He stated, “I think it is a misconception around the world that modern Indian players are better at playing spin than anyone else. They are not. They are just like players from other countries. The days of Ganguly, Gambhir, Laxman, and Dravid are long gone. Sachin was exceptional against spin, and those who played before him were equally adept. Quality spinners can effectively exploit turning tracks against Indian batsmen, just as Indian spinners do against strong opposition. Yet, when they see a spinning track in the IPL, they complain,” Doull remarked on JioCinema during the lunch break on the second day.

After the break, the Kiwis continued their dominance by dismissing three more Indian batsmen within just eight overs. India’s top-scorer Ravindra Jadeja, along with Akash Deep and Jasprit Bumrah, fell quickly, leading to India’s rapid downfall.

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In contrast, New Zealand’s openers Tom Latham and Devon Conway raced to build their innings, appearing far more comfortable than the struggling Indian side. Even after the dismissal of the Kiwis’ top-scorer from the first innings, the partnership between Will Young and Latham flourished, further extending New Zealand’s lead and putting India under severe pressure.