xtratime Logo

Xtra Time Web Desk: India is gearing up to face New Zealand in the second Test of the series at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune on Thursday, October 24. After suffering an eight-wicket defeat in the first Test at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, India will be keen to bounce back. With the race to the ICC World Test Championship final intensifying, India will be aiming for nothing short of victory.

The last time India played a Test match at this venue was in October 2019 against South Africa, where they dominated the visitors, winning by an innings and 137 runs. India posted a huge first-innings score of 601/5 declared, powered by an unbeaten 254 from then-captain Virat Kohli—his highest Test score. Mayank Agarwal also contributed with a century (108), while Ajinkya Rahane and Ravindra Jadeja added vital runs. South Africa’s bowlers struggled, with Keshav Maharaj being the only bright spot, taking two wickets.

Read More:

OMG! Five IPL franchises set to bid for teams in The Hundred

In response, South Africa collapsed twice, posting 275 in their first innings and 189 in the second after being forced to follow on. Umesh Yadav and Ravichandran Ashwin picked up three and four wickets respectively in the first innings, while Ashwin and Jadeja combined again in the second, making it a difficult contest for the visitors. India sealed the series with that dominant performance.

Pune's debut as a Test venue came in 2017 when India faced Australia. That match, however, ended in a rare home defeat for India, as Australia won by 333 runs. Steve O’Keefe took 12 wickets, dismantling India’s batting lineup, while Steve Smith’s century in the second innings further cemented Australia’s control.

Read More:

Sarfaraz Khan celebrates Bengaluru Test heroics with birth of baby boy

Now, as India returns to Pune, the team will be eager to make amends for their past and push for a much-needed victory against New Zealand.