Fans Demand Pujara, Rahane's Return After India's Shocking Test Series Loss to New Zealand
In the Pune Test, India faced a daunting 359-run target set by New Zealand after the visitors built on a 103-run first-innings lead. Though India’s spinners had a bright start in the final day’s opening hour, and Yashasvi Jaiswal’s spirited knock of 77 provided a glimmer of hope, the team ultimately collapsed.
India’s long-standing dominance in home Test matches was shattered after New Zealand’s historic 113-run win in the second Test in Pune, securing their first-ever series victory on Indian soil. This was India’s first home series defeat in 12 years, ending an impressive 18-series winning streak that began in 2013. The surprising result left Indian fans calling for the return of veterans Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane, with some accusing the BCCI of “hypocrisy” in team selection.
In the Pune Test, India faced a daunting 359-run target set by New Zealand after the visitors built on a 103-run first-innings lead. Though India’s spinners had a bright start in the final day’s opening hour, and Yashasvi Jaiswal’s spirited knock of 77 provided a glimmer of hope, the team ultimately collapsed. Star batters like Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant couldn’t sustain the momentum, with Pant’s unfortunate run-out for a duck and quick dismissals by Mitchell Santner sealing India’s fate.
Santner, who had taken a career-best seven-wicket haul in the first innings, proved instrumental again with another five-wicket haul, dismantling India’s lower order in the second session to complete the victory. The unexpected loss stirred fans to demand a return to the traditional stability provided by Pujara and Rahane, criticizing recent experiments with younger players and emphasizing the need for seasoned experience against high-quality international bowling.
With the Border-Gavaskar series against Australia approaching, India’s management will face scrutiny over lineup choices and the strategic direction following this defeat.
