The WTC campaign for the two-time finalists in the longest format of the game, India, has suffered a huge blow as a result of the humiliating home series defeat against New Zealand.
After India fell short of chasing a total of 359 runs in the second innings of the Pune test, their WTC proceedings now suffered a huge setback as this is the first home series India lost since 2012.
Before the second match of the series, Rohit Sharma led India at the top of the points table with a PCT of 68.06. However, the back-to-back losses have cost them a lot, as their PCT has drastically dropped to a tragic 62.82. The immediate opponents and defending champions Australia sit very close in the second position with 62.50 PCT.
To play India’s third consecutive WTC final in June next year, which is scheduled to be played at Lord’s, India would have to be commendable to secure their hold onto a final spot.
India still has a final Test against New Zealand left in the Wankhede Stadium, while next, they will proceed to Australia to play the 5-match series in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. India will have to secure at least four wins in their next six games.
However, now India’s campaign will heavily depend on Australia, Sri Lanka, as well as South Africa’s campaigns. India would now depend largely on their sub-continental neighbours Sri Lanka, who will host the likes of South Africa and Australia for a set of Test matches.
The team will now face a huge challenge to rediscover their form to aim at their third consecutive WTC final, as success against Australia turns very critical under such conditions.
The second Test at Pune turned out to be another nightmare for Indian batters
In the second Test, after a pre-informed flatter and turning pitch made at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Ground in Pune, India strengthened their side with Washington Sundar, while New Zealand also brought back their experienced spinner Mitchell Santner for the same.
Indian spinners relished on Day 1, as Ravi Ashwin rewrote record books with a set of three early wickets while Washington Sundar excelled at the back of his 7 wickets.
After being bowled out for 259, Kiwi spinners Mitchell Santner and Glenn Phillips picked the nine Indian wickets on Day 2. As India were bundled up for 156, New Zealand took an early 103-run advantage in the innings.
Except for Tom Latham, no other Kiwi batter got themselves going in the second inning, as New Zealand could put a target of 359 runs in front of the Indian batters. Despite Yashasvi Jaiswal’s brilliance up the order with 77 off 65 balls, Santner again took his toll on Indian batters.
Mitchell Santner went on to pick the wickets of Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Sarfaraz Khan, and Ravi Ashwin alongside a run-out of Rishabh Pant as India faced a thrashing defeat of 113 runs in the second Test.
