Washington Sundar made a spectacular return to India’s side in the second Test against New Zealand, taking seven wickets as New Zealand was spun out for 259 on day one of the match in Pune. India closed at 16-1 at the end of the day, with captain Rohit Sharma being dismissed for a duck. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill were at the crease, with India trailing by 243 runs.
New Zealand’s batting was led by Devon Conway, who scored 76 runs, and Rachin Ravindra, who scored 65, after captain Tom Latham won the toss and chose to bat. Washington Sundar was the star with the ball, taking 7-59, while Ravichandran Ashwin supported with 3-64 as New Zealand was all out in 79.1 overs. The pitch is expected to offer more turn as the match progresses, with India looking to level the three-match series after their defeat in the first Test in Bengaluru.
Sundar justified his return to the Test side with his first five-wicket haul in five appearances. He removed key batsmen like Southee and Ravindra to break important partnerships and clean up the tail in the final session. Washington Sundar’s excellent performance with the ball put India in a strong position going into day two of the Test match.
Devon Conway’s half-century was crucial for New Zealand as he put on a vital partnership with Ravindra to frustrate the Indian bowlers. However, Ashwin’s breakthrough wicket of Conway gave India the edge as they looked to restrict New Zealand’s total. With Ashwin climbing up the list of leading Test bowlers, his performance was crucial in pegging back New Zealand’s batting lineup.
New Zealand will be looking to build on their victory in the first Test and clinch the series on Indian soil, a feat they have not achieved since 1988. With the series finely poised, both teams will be looking to put their best foot forward in the remaining matches. India will be relying on their spinners to continue their good form, while New Zealand will be aiming to put up a strong batting performance to put pressure on the Indian bowlers. The upcoming days of the Test match promise to be exciting as both teams battle it out for supremacy.
In conclusion, Washington Sundar’s exceptional bowling performance, combined with Ashwin’s crucial wickets, has put India in a strong position in the second Test against New Zealand. With the match finely balanced and both teams looking to gain the upper hand, the remaining days of the Test promise to be filled with action and drama. India will be determined to level the series, while New Zealand will be eager to make history by winning a series in India after a long gap. The battle between bat and ball will be key as both teams look to emerge victorious in this closely contested series.
