New Zealand claims Test series win in India, Mitchell Santner produces career-best haul

New Zealand has pulled off one of Test cricket’s greatest upsets of the modern era, becoming the first touring side in more than 4000 days to win a series in India.

India will head to Australia smarting from its first home series loss in more than 4000 days after being stunned by New Zealand.

The world’s No. 2 ranked side fell to a 2-0 series deficit against the Kiwis with one match remaining after a 113-run loss in Pune.

The result marked the first time in 4331 days India had lost a Test series at home (a 2-1 defeat to England in 2012).

The cricket powerhouse has only lost three times at home since 2000.

It is also the first time New Zealand has won a Test series in India.

The Kiwis’ only previous Test wins on Indian soil before this tour were in 1969 and 1988.

Successive Test five-wicket bags for Mitchell Santner (5-72) and his maiden first-class 10-wicket match haul (12-125). Three wickets to win after Tea! India need 181 runs.

Follow play LIVE in NZ on @skysportnz or @SENZ_Radio LIVE scoring https://t.co/6VR0Jde2yJ 📲 #INDvNZpic.twitter.com/ayoWUIPovb

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) October 26, 2024

Mitchell Santner was the hero for New Zealand with a career-best outing.

Mitchell Santner was the hero for New Zealand, taking 13 wickets in one of the best bowling performances by a visiting player to India in Test history.

“To win a series over here is very tough, as Indian have shown for a very long time,” Santner said.

“That’s obviously very pleasing for us.”

The world’s 74th-ranked Test bowler had a previous career best of 3-34, had never taken more than six wickets in a Test and battled through a side strain during a marathon second-innings spell.

The 32-year-old took 7-59 as India was skittled for 156 in its first innings and 6-104 in the second, finishing with match figures of 13-163.

“What a stellar performance. Almost singlehandedly has helped New Zealand win this Test match because he’s bowled beautifully,” Indian cricket legend Ravi Shastri said.

“India had no answers — by taking 13 in the game, he’s really stolen the show.”

Mitchell Santner has taken the same number of test wickets in the last 2 days as he took in the 10 tests across 3 years between October 2016 and November 2019. @BLACKCAPSpic.twitter.com/o6sKMWoRcY

— Jason Pine (@pineynz) October 26, 2024

India: We've got a million blokes averaging 40 with the bat, three spinners, the best quick bowler in the world and haven't lost a Test series at home in over a decade. New Zealand won't stand a chance!
Mitchell Santner: haha left arm darts go brrr

— Ethan (@ethanmeldrum_) October 26, 2024

Shane Warne, Muralitharan never had as much success in India compared to say Steve O'Keefe & Mitchell Santner! Just inexplicable

— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) October 26, 2024

Without their biggest star, injured batter Kane Williamson, Santner and Glenn Phillips combined to bowl the rank underdogs to one of their most famous Test wins.

Half-centuries from Deven Conway, Rachin Ravindra and skipper Tom Latham were also crucial to the boilover.

Shastri described the loss as a “rude awakening” for India.

“They’ve been outplayed in these two Test matches,” Shastri said.

Shastri, a former Indian coach, added: “It’s food for thought..

“Deep down (Rohit) will be hurting and hurting big time, and so it should be. Not just with him but with every Indian player in that dressing room.”

Rohit said his side’s first innings, when they were dismissed for 156, had been fatal and described the shock defeat as a “collective failure”.

“It’s not what we expected. But you have got to give credit to New Zealand. They played better than us. We failed to capitalise on certain moments in the game which were thrown at us...and we sit here with that result,” he said.

The Indian skipper added: “I didn’t think we batted well enough to get runs on the board. If you want to win Test matches you’ve got to take 20 wickets, yes, but batters (have) got to put runs on the board as well. We didn’t put enough runs on the board in the first innings and then we were behind in the game.”

Santner bowled New Zealand to victory after being recalled to the Test side.

Latham said his side was determined to “fire a shot” despite heading to India as rank underdogs.

“It’s obviously a really special feeling...I think this game was a clear example of everyone pitching in when they needed to and everyone standing up at different times,” he said.

“Just stoked for the guys that we’re in this position now.”

Jubilant Kiwi all-rounder Phillips said the enormity of his side’s achievement was “indescribable”.

“For us to do it for the first time in our history is phenomenal,” Phillips said.

“It’s been a long time of graft and grind to be able to try and compete with the Indian boys in their home conditions. Obviously they’re incredibly strong here and pretty much beat anyone that comes here.

“For us to be able to try and learn over time, learn and adapt, and try to be a bit more positive, especially in these spin-friendly conditions.

“For that to come off and have a little bit of dividends for us today was fantastic.”

Phillips said his job was “just trying to hold on” while Santner ripped through India’s batting line-up.

Originally published as New Zealand claims Test series win in India, Mitchell Santner produces career-best haul