Mitchell Santner wreaked havoc with the ball on the second day of the Pune Test, snaring seven wickets for 53 runs in a marathon 19.3 overs to almost put India out of the game. He focused on the line of stump for most of his bowling and trapped the Indian batsmen without technique or temperament.

He varied his pace brilliantly and managed enough drift and drop to keep the Indian batsmen guessing, even though they also played a few loose shots. After finishing the day, Santner attended the press conference where he spoke about his plans and tactics during the innings.

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He revealed that working with Rangana Herath has been paying dividends as Santner has improved immensely as a red-ball bowler since the Sri Lankan joined the Blackcaps dugout. Herath has been working with the Kiwis since the start of their Asia tour against Afghanistan last month.

“Rangana (Herath) has been really good. Obviously, in Sri Lanka and here, he took wickets everywhere. I think he was a master at that change of pace and that cunning. Working with him, not just me, as a spin bowling unit has been really good, especially in these conditions which we don’t look too much like. Here it’s about playing a little more with the angle of the seam and making one stay down or the other bounce.”

Rangana Herath’s influence on Virat Kohli’s dismissal

One of the most notable moments of the day was when Virat Kohli came out with a wild shot across the line at a full toss against Mitchell Santner. The ball fell on him as it passed under his willow and crashed into the stumps.

Santner revealed that he was surprised that Kohli missed a harmless full delivery, adding that he doesn’t usually miss them. He said the change of pace had some influence from Rangana Herath.

“I think I was more surprised that Kohli came out of the full toss. He doesn’t usually miss them. I think so, it was a little slower in the air. I tried to change it up a little bit, but usually if you bowl them, they come out for six. So, I think there was obviously a little bit there. [of Herath’s influence] which was nice.”

Santner recorded his first five hits and finished with the best numbers of his career to put New Zealand in a commanding position. The work is still half done; He will look to replicate the same and help the Kiwis enter the record books by beating India in a Test series on their home turf.

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