India all out at 156 as New Zealand takes command in Second Test at Pune

India faced a disheartening collapse in the second Test against New Zealand at the MCA Stadium in Pune, getting bowled out for just 156 runs in their first innings. This puts them 103 runs behind New Zealand, who posted a total of 259 runs earlier in the match. The Indian batting lineup struggled against New Zealand's spin attack, particularly against Mitchell Santner, who claimed four wickets for 36 runs, showcasing the visitors' dominance on a turning track.

Resuming the day at 16 for 1, India lost their way quickly, with Shubman Gill (30) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (30) both getting starts but failing to convert them into substantial scores. The collapse began after Gill was dismissed LBW by Santner, and soon after, Kohli's shocking dismissal for just 1 run added to India's woes. Virat Kohli, expected to anchor the innings, fell to a full toss that he missed, leaving the crowd in disbelief.

Jaiswal, despite his early promise, succumbed to an edge off Glenn Phillips' bowling, adding to the growing list of wickets. The middle order crumbled as Rishabh Pant (18) and Sarfaraz Khan (11) followed suit, both falling victim to poor shot selection. Ravindra Jadeja provided a brief resistance with a score of 38 runs but lacked support from the lower order.

India's batting frailties against spin were starkly evident as they lost six wickets for only 91 runs in the morning session. The lack of application and technique on a challenging wicket raised concerns about the team's ability to adapt. Washington Sundar remained not out on 18, but his efforts were insufficient to save India from a disastrous first innings.

New Zealand's bowlers effectively exploited the conditions, with Santner leading the charge and Glenn Phillips contributing two crucial wickets. As India enters the second day trailing by 103 runs, they face the daunting task of recovering against a confident New Zealand side. The pressure is on India's batsmen to perform and avoid a series defeat, as they are currently down 1-0 in the two-match series. With New Zealand firmly in control, the upcoming sessions will be pivotal for India as they seek to bounce back from this setback and regain momentum in the Test.