After swinging the second Test and possibly the series in New Zealand’s favor with a career-best 7/53, Mitchell Santner admitted it was “shocking” to clean up Virat Kohli to a complete toss in Pune on Friday. Santner’s seven gave New Zealand a useful 103-run first innings lead on a low, slow surface, which the Kiwis stretched to 301 at the end of play. The left-arm spinner’s outstanding spell included Kohli’s scalp as India collapsed to 156 all out in the first innings.

“I was more in shock to get Kohli off the full toss. He usually doesn’t miss them,” Santner said when asked how much he enjoyed getting India’s opening batsman out in the way he did it.

“It was a little slower through the air. I tried to change it a little bit, but usually if you throw them, they go for six. Obviously it was something nice and the change of pace was the key today,” he told the media.

Santner said that despite having a huge lead of 301 runs, the New Zealand batsmen still have some work to do with three days left in the Test.

“I think India will probably be more aggressive and try to put us on the back foot. There is one more job to do with the bat. Obviously, the more runs we have now, it makes our job a bit easier with the ball,” he said.

said Santner mixing up the pace as the India off-spinner Washington Sundar did on the first day during 7/59 was the key.

“I tend to do that a lot in white-ball cricket – it changes the tempo. We talked about (keeping it) just under 90km/h (and for) an hour, it seemed to spin and then for a while there, when you went over the top, it actually bounced a lot,” said he.

“We talked about maybe going a little bit slower, but at the beginning, I was a bit quick and then it kind of changed as the day went on with the field… and Washy did that really well.

“You know, first it was 95km/h and then it started to slow down and get the variation that kept the batsmen guessing,” he added.

The 32-year-old said New Zealand wanted to fire the first shot against India and not look too defensive in this tournament.

“We know how difficult it can be in these conditions. We have seen India collect a lot of teams for a long time. What was nice with the bat was (seeing) guys trying to get some shots and play some moves and take on the bowlers,” he said.

“We know, on the other hand, as a bowler, if guys are using their legs or turning or sweeping, it can disturb your length a bit.

“In the past, we’ve come in here and just tried to block it and eventually one (delivery) has your name on it. We talked about that, trying to get the first shot or just have a little more intent and see what happens,” he added.

Santner said taking the game up front is the approach that has worked well for New Zealand here.

“The job wasn’t done with the bat, but when the boys showed they could sweep or use their legs, get down the field, we were in better positions to score and also defend,” said he.

“I remember my tour here in 2016, we got to bowl a lot. It was spinning and we tried to defend it and ended up getting out all the time,” he added.

Santner said working with Sri Lanka is great Rangana Herath helped the New Zealand spinners immensely.

“Rangana was very good. Obviously in Sri Lanka and now here. He took wickets everywhere and was a master of that kind of change of pace and that guile,” he said.

“Working with him as a spin bowling unit has been really good, especially in conditions we’re not too familiar with,” he said.