India vs New Zealand Live Score, 2nd Test Day 3: Blundell nears half-century, IND eye comeback; NZ lead by 301 runs

India vs New Zealand Live Score, 2nd Test Day 3: Washington Sundar spun his web once again in the second innings. The pick of the bowlers for India was Sundar on Day 2, who snapped four wickets in his spell of 19 overs where he conceded 56 runs. One wicket was bagged by Ravichandran Ashwin in his spell of 17 overs where he gave away 64 runs.

India vs New Zealand Live Score, 2nd Test Day 3: Mitchell Santner shared insights into the team's approach, explaining that their strategy revolved around finding the right pace and accuracy to maximize spin and control.

"We spoke about trying to find the right speed on this wicket. As the day went along, the slower ones started to spin, and it was about trying to put it in the right areas," he said.

Santner also discussed his choice to bowl wide of the crease, a tactic he picked up from India's Washington Sundar.

"Just tried to change the angles, induce the play and miss, and vary it out. I watched Washi go wide of the crease earlier and tried to do the same," he added.

India vs New Zealand Live Score, 2nd Test Day 3: If India goes on to lose the Pune Test – they are currently trailing by 301 second innings’ runs - their 0-2 scoreline will leave them not only in a must-win situation with the final Test match in Mumbai, but they would also need at least three wins out of five in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar trophy against Australia to guarantee themselves of a ticket to Lord’s. Currently India is sitting comfortably at the top of the WTC points table with 8 wins in 12 matches that translates to 68.06 % points. But that could all change if South Africa make a late dash in lead up to final in June. If South Africa manage to win all their five remaining matches, India will have no other way than pulling off a hat-trick of series wins Down Under.

India vs New Zealand Live Score, 2nd Test Day 3: New Zealand, aided by a career-best seven-wicket haul by left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner and a half-century by skipper Tom Latham took a sizeable 301-run lead against an embattled India on day two of the second Test here on Friday. "It is satisfying," Santner said of the visiting batsmen taking on the Indian spinners in favourable conditions.

“We know how challenging it can be in these conditions. Seen India squeeze a lot of teams for a long time and I guess it was pleasing with the bat with guys trying to fire some shots and play some sweeps and take on the bowlers,” he added.

India vs New Zealand Live Score, 2nd Test Day 3: The home fans were then stunned into silence when Santner took the prized wicket of Virat Kohli, bowled on a low full toss for one. Santner admitted it was a "shock" to get the star batsman out in that manner. The Indian maestro played a rash shot and missed it completely to get castled for just 1.

India vs New Zealand Live Score, 2nd Test Day 3: India's top spot in World Test Championship is under threat now as New Zealand eye history win in Pune. New Zealand, who have never won a Test series in India and lead the three-match series 1-0, and with a 300-plus lead they are already in front in second Test.

India vs New Zealand Live Score, 2nd Test Day 3: New Zealand, who have never won a Test series in India and lead the three-match series 1-0, were 198-5 at stumps in their second knock, a lead of 301, after skipper Tom Latham hit 86. Wicketkeeper Tom Blundell, on 30, and Glenn Phillips, on nine, were batting at the close of play.

Tom Latham scored 86 off 133 balls, including 10 boundaries, anchoring New Zealand while it was reduced to 89-3. Sundar trapped Devon Conway for 17, bowled Rachin Ravindra for 9, and dismissed Daryl Mitchell on 18 for his 10-wicket match haul, while Ravichandran Ashwin got Will Young lbw on 23. Latham and Tom Blundell rebuilt the innings with a 60-run partnership for the fifth wicket that put New Zealand back in a commanding position.

India vs New Zealand Live Score, 2nd Test Day 3: India haven't lost a home Test series since 2012 to England. But their incredible run of 18 successive home series wins was under threat from the Black Caps. Their win in Bengaluru last weekend was their first in India in 36 years. They have never won a series in India but now on the verge of scripting history.

India vs New Zealand Live Score, 2nd Test Day 3: India desperately need their spinners to spin their web early on Day 3 to restrict New Zealand's lead under 400 to give their batters a slim chance to bounce back and level the series. With five wickets remaining, New Zealand currently hold all the aces in the match.