India's recent performance in the second Test against New Zealand culminated in a disappointing loss by 113 runs at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune, marking a significant setback for the team. This defeat not only handed New Zealand an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series but also ended India’s remarkable 18-year streak of unbeaten home Test series, a record that stood since 2012. This loss represents India's first series defeat at home in over 11 years, allowing New Zealand to celebrate their maiden series victory on Indian soil.
Following the match, India captain Rohit Sharma emphasized that he does not believe in conducting a postmortem of the team's performance despite the disappointing results. He acknowledged the gravity of the situation but maintained that the team had achieved substantial success over the years, citing their impressive record of consecutive home series victories. "It has happened in the last two Test matches; we’ve won 18 consecutive series at home, which means we’ve done a lot of things right. We’ve performed exceptionally well over the past number of years," Rohit said in the post-match press conference.Â
He expressed confidence in the team's core group, stating, "I don’t want to doubt anyone’s potential. These guys have helped us remain unbeaten at home for so long, and hence I don’t want to do any postmortem." Rohit acknowledged that while there were moments where the batting unit underperformed, such occurrences are part of the game, especially after prolonged periods of success. He highlighted that, against New Zealand, the opposition batters demonstrated how applying pressure can lead to favorable outcomes.
On Day 3, India faced a monumental task, needing to chase a daunting target of 359 runs in the fourth innings. Unfortunately, they were bundled out for just 245 runs, with only Yashasvi Jaiswal putting up a commendable fight. Jaiswal’s aggressive innings of 77 runs off 65 balls stood out as the lone resistance against a formidable New Zealand bowling attack. The failure of the rest of the batting lineup to contribute significantly underscored the team's struggles in this match, leading to their third Test defeat at home this year.
As a result of these back-to-back losses, India's hopes of qualifying for the World Test Championship (WTC) final have taken a considerable hit. They now find themselves in a challenging position, needing to secure victories in at least four out of their remaining six matches. The upcoming third Test against New Zealand, set to take place at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on November 1, will be crucial for India to regain their form and confidence. The team is under pressure not only to break their losing streak but also to restore their standing in the race for the WTC final. This match will be a pivotal opportunity for the players to bounce back, refine their strategies, and reclaim their dominance on home soil.
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