Watch: Tim Southee grabs excellent catch to dismiss Ravindra Jadeja; takes NZ to historic Test series win
Table of Contents
Fast bowler Tim Southee took an outstanding catch at the boundary for the final wicket of the second Test between India and New Zealand at Pune. The final wicket to fall was Ravindra Jadeja, who was dismissed for a well-made 42.
Left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel tossed up a ball outside off stump. Seeing a flighted ball, Ravindra Jadeja came down the track to smash the ball over the boundary ropes but found one of the best catchers in the world in the form of Tim Southee at long-on.
The catch was not an easy one but Tim Southee maintained his composure and balance and took the catch just inside the boundary line for India's final wicket. It was a fitting moment for the New Zealand legend, who has waited for this moment ever since his Test debut.
Watch: Akash Deep receives standing ovation from Pune crowd after getting off the mark on 23rd ball
Watch: Tim Southee takes excellent catch to dismiss Ravindra Jadeja
— Drizzyat12Kennyat8 (@45kennyat7PM) October 26, 2024
Tim Southee has taken a no. of outstanding catches throughout his career and this was one of them. It was also one of the most memorable catches taken by the New Zealander in his career.
It also brought an end to Ravindra Jadeja's fighting innings. The allrounder tried his best till the end but was left with too much to do. India's dismal batting performance in the series continued as only Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ravindra Jadeja made significant contributions.
Mitchell Santner shines for New Zealand
With Tim Southee's catch, New Zealand defeated India by 113 runs and took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match Test series. With one more match to go, the series is already in New Zealand's bag.
New Zealand's spinners led the way for them in this match. Left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner picked up 13 wickets in the match and was rightly adjudged the Player of the Match. Santner finished with 7-53 in the first innings and 6-104 in the second innings.
Apart from Santner, Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, and Tom Latham also contributed with vital half-centuries in the match. Washington Sundar was the lone bright spot for India in this match. The young offspinner picked up 11 wickets in the match.
India's proud home Test record ends
Meanwhile, it was a shocking defeat for India, who held the proud home record in Test cricket. Before this series, India had not lost a single Test series at home since the last 12 years.
The last series that the Men in Blue lost was in 2012, when they were defeated by Alastair Cook's England 2-1. Since then, they have been almost invincible at home but the streak has been broken now.
The defeat has also put doubts over India's path to the World Test Championship (WTC) final. Rohit Sharma and his men will now have their task cut out as they have a tough road ahead of them.
After the final Test match against New Zealand in Mumbai, India will travel to Australia for a five-match Test series in Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. With the defeat to New Zealand, the away series in Australia becomes important for the Men in Blue now.
Tagged:
India National Cricket Team New Zealand National Cricket Team IND vs NZ India vs New Zealand New Zealand tour of India ICC World Test Championship Tim Southee Ravindra Jadeja Ajaz Patel