India’s remarkable home Test series winning streak is under serious pressure after a disheartening batting collapse in the second Test against New Zealand at the MCA Stadium in Pune. Following a poor showing that saw the team bowled out for just 156, India now trails New Zealand by over 300 runs and faces an uphill battle to salvage the series.
New Zealand in Command with Strong First Innings
New Zealand, led by Tom Latham’s steady knock, gained a vital 103-run first-innings lead and ended the day at 198/5. Mitchell Santner’s superb 7/53 dismantled India’s batting lineup, putting New Zealand on the brink of a historic first Test series win in India.
Implications for India’s World Test Championship (WTC) Hopes
With a series deficit of 0-1, India’s chances of securing a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final are at risk. Should they lose this series, India’s percentage of points (PCT) would drop to 62.82, jeopardizing their top position. To qualify outright for the WTC final, Rohit Sharma and his team would need to secure at least four wins from their six remaining matches, including the crucial Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia.
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Dependence on Other Series Outcomes
A loss to New Zealand could force India to rely on favourable outcomes from other Test series, particularly Sri Lanka’s games against Australia and South Africa, which could have significant implications on the WTC standings. Though India currently leads the standings, each match now holds critical weight as they strive to secure a spot in the final and avoid depending on results in other series.
What Lies Ahead
With the pressure mounting, India will need a monumental comeback to turn the series around. As they prepare for a challenging run, every game is a must-win to keep their WTC aspirations alive.
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