In an impressive show of resilience and skill, New Zealand secured their first-ever Test series win on Indian soil, marking a momentous achievement in their cricket history.
After suffering an eight-wicket defeat in the initial Test at Bengaluru, New Zealand bounced back with a formidable 113-run victory in Pune, ending India’s unbeaten home record that had held since November 2012, when England defeated them 2-1.
This significant win elevates New Zealand to fourth place on the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 table. While India remains at the top, their points percentage has narrowed, bringing them closer to Australia, who currently sits in second position. This historic series win not only underscores New Zealand’s strength in overseas conditions but also intensifies the race to the WTC25 Final, with teams like Sri Lanka, South Africa, and New Zealand now eyeing the coveted spot.
Mitchell Santner emerged as the star of the series, delivering a remarkable performance with the ball on a challenging, spin-friendly pitch. The left-arm spinner claimed a staggering 13 wickets in the match, proving too potent for India’s lineup. His efforts were instrumental in securing New Zealand’s lead and ultimately, their series victory.
The Test in Pune began with New Zealand batting first, putting up a solid 259 runs on the board. Devon Conway’s 76 and Rachin Ravindra’s 65 led the charge, but Washington Sundar, returning to India’s lineup, gave the hosts a promising start by claiming 7/59, while Ravichandran Ashwin provided solid support with figures of 3/64. Despite these promising performances, India’s batsmen faltered, collapsing for a modest 156, with Santner’s 7/53 effectively dismantling their batting order.
In their second innings, New Zealand added 255 to their tally, securing a substantial 103-run lead. Tom Latham anchored the innings with a composed 86, supported by contributions from Tom Blundell (41) and Glenn Phillips (48). With a challenging chase of over 350 runs and more than two days of play remaining, India faced mounting pressure on a pitch increasingly favoring spinners.
New Zealand exploited the conditions with precision. Rohit Sharma was dismissed early by an inside edge to short leg, while Yashasvi Jaiswal attempted a counter-attacking strategy, briefly reviving hopes with a quick-fire innings. Shubman Gill stood firm at the other end, forming a half-century partnership, but Santner’s relentless spin ultimately broke India’s defenses. India was bowled out for 245, falling 113 runs short of their target, and handing New Zealand an unassailable 2-0 lead.
Santner was rightfully named Player of the Match for his 13/157 figures. With the final Test set for November 1-5 in Mumbai, India will have a chance to regain momentum in the WTC standings before heading to Australia for a critical five-match series. This loss has tightened the WTC25 race, giving contenders like Australia, Sri Lanka, South Africa, and New Zealand renewed hopes of reaching the final next year.