"Worse than 46 all out": Simon Doull, Ian Smith brutally mock India batters following Pune Test failure

Former New Zealand fast bowler Simon Doull has taken a dig at the Indian batters following a dramatic collapse on Day 2 of the second Test match. Simon Doull said that there is a “misconception” about modern Indian batters that they are the best against spin bowlers across the world.

Mitchell Santner played a pivotal role in causing a major batting collapse on the second morning of the second Test in Pune on Friday, October 25. The hosts looked to take a first-innings lead after dismissing New Zealand for 259 on Day 1, but struggled against Santner's bowling on the second day.

Modern Indian Players Are The Same Everyone Else - Simon Doull

Following India's batting collapse in Pune, Simon Doull said that the modern Indian batters are on par with batters worldwide when it comes to playing spin. Simon Doull stated that the era of legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, and Rahul Dravid, who excelled against spin, is gone.

“I think it is a misconception around the world now that these modern Indian players are better playing spin than anyone else. They are not. They are the same as everyone else around the world. Gone are the days of Ganguly, Gambhir, Laxman and Dravid," Simon Doull said on Jio Cinema.

"Sachin was so, so good against spin, and the era before them. I think good quality spinners are just as good as getting India out on turning tracks as Indian spinners against good quality opposition batters. And the moment they see a turning track in IPL, they complain,” he added.

Mitchell Santner Takes his Maiden Five-Wicket Haul in Tests

Santner took advantage of the conditions to dismantle India’s batting lineup in the first innings. He dismissed Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli in the first hour. The spinner secured the wickets of Sarfaraz Khan, who had starred with a 150 in the previous Test, and Ravichandran Ashwin just before lunch.

After lunch, Santner completed his first five-wicket haul in Test cricket by dismissing Ravindra Jadeja. He later dismissed Akash Deep and Jasprit Bumrah to complete a seven-wicket haul. The left-arm spinner ended with bowling figures of 7/53 as India bowed out for just 156 runs in the first innings.

This Is Worse Than 46 All Out - Ian Smith

Former New Zealand cricketer and renowned commentator Ian Smith criticized India’s batting approach on Day 2 of the second Test. Smith described it as worse than their infamous 46 all out during the first Test in Bengaluru.

"Well, this is worse that 46 all out if you ask me," Ian Smith said while doing commentary on air.

"This is some poor batting and shot selection. I can understand the first Test, but instead of playing themselves in, batting for time, India for some reason, are going after the bowling."

"They think they can just bash this New Zealand bowling line-up. This is only Day 2 of the Test match. There is ample time to go but the way India are playing, none of them are going to be here that long," he added.

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