India vs New Zealand 2nd Test pitch report, Pune stadium key stats

When India last played a Test match in Pune, Virat Kohli scored a double century against South Africa. With 13 wickets, Ashwin is highest wicket-taker at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium

India will aim to revitalise their chances of qualifying for the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final when they take on New Zealand in the second Test, starting on October 24, at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune. Overcast conditions in Bengaluru and Rohit Sharma's decision to bat first hindered India’s prospects in the first Test, which the hosts lost by 8 wickets.  Check India vs New Zealand 2nd Test Day 2 LIVE SCORE and MATCH UPDATES HERE

 

With India needing to win three of their remaining seven Test matches in the WTC 2023-25 cycle, they might request a pitch that turns from Day 1 in both Pune and Mumbai to suit their spin-heavy strategy.

 

Pune Pitch Report ahead of India vs New Zealand 2nd Test

 

According to media reports, the Pune pitch is expected to be low and slow, with spinners expected to play a key role. The black soil used for the Pune wicket generally lacks bounce, making it more conducive to spin.

 

Given the low and slow-turning conditions, India’s spinners are likely to be more effective. In such a scenario, India might once again opt for three spinners, though the choice of slow bowlers could vary from the first Test.

 

Who will be the spinners in India’s Playing XI for the 2nd Test?

 

In a curious move, India added Washington Sundar to the squad, which already includes Axar Patel as the fourth spinner, for the second and third Tests. While it seems unlikely that Sundar would replace Ashwin in the Playing 11, India may consider fielding four spinners, given Mohammed Siraj's poor form on home soil. 

 

India’s Record at Pune Stadium in Test Matches

 

The India vs New Zealand 2nd Test will be only the third Test match at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune. The first Test match at this venue was part of the 2017 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where Australia secured a convincing win, with left-arm spinner Steve O'Keefe claiming six wickets, and the match concluding just before tea on Day 3. Of the 40 wickets that fell, spinners accounted for 31.

 

The pitch was criticised by the International Cricket Council (ICC) match referee, Chris Broad, for its substandard quality.

 

In the most recent Test match at the MCA Stadium, India hosted South Africa and won by an innings, with Virat Kohli scoring a double century in a dominant performance.  Highest run-scorer at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune 

Top 10 highest run-scorer at MCA Stadium Pune (Test matches)
Player	I	R	B	Outs	Avg	SR	HS	4s	6s	50	100
Virat Kohli	3	267	375	2	133.5	71.2	254	34	2	0	1
Steve Smith	2	136	297	2	68	45.79	109	13	0	0	1
Mayank Agarwal	1	108	195	1	108	55.38	108	16	2	0	1
Matt Renshaw	2	99	206	2	49.5	48.06	68	15	1	1	0
Ravindra Jadeja	3	96	129	3	32	74.42	91	8	2	1	0
Cheteshwar Pujara	3	95	193	3	31.67	49.22	58	12	1	1	0
Keshav Maharaj	2	94	197	2	47	47.72	72	15	0	1	0
Mitchell Starc	2	91	94	2	45.5	96.81	61	8	6	1	0
Ajinkya Rahane	3	90	244	3	30	36.89	59	12	0	1	0
V Philander	2	81	264	1	81	30.68	44	8	2	0	0

 

  Highest wicket-takers at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune   

Top 10 highest wicket-taker at MCA Stadium in Pune (Test matches)
Player	Innings	Overs	Runs	Wickets	Econ	Avg	SR	4W	5W	BBI	4s	6s	Dots
R Ashwin	4	112.3	296	13	2.63	22.77	51.92	2	0	4-69	35	4	525
Steve O'Keefe	2	28.1	70	12	2.49	5.83	14.08	0	2	6-35	6	1	126
Umesh Yadav	4	46	130	12	2.83	10.83	23	1	0	4-32	21	0	220
Ravindra Jadeja	4	114.2	272	9	2.38	30.22	76.22	0	0	3-52	31	7	560
Nathan Lyon	2	25.5	74	5	2.86	14.8	31	1	0	4-53	7	0	111
Kagiso Rabada	1	30	93	3	3.1	31	60	0	0	3-93	14	0	150
Mohammed Shami	2	26	78	3	3	26	52	0	0	2-44	13	0	126
Jayant Yadav	2	23	101	2	4.39	50.5	69	0	0	1-43	12	2	94
Mitchell Starc	2	11	38	2	3.45	19	33	0	0	2-38	7	0	53
Ishant Sharma	4	29	86	1	2.97	86	174	0	0	1-17	13	0	134