Washington Sundar’s Record Breaking 7-for Spins New Zealand Out for 259
Washington Sundar immediately made an impression on his Test comeback, recording career-high 7 for 59 following an outstanding Ranji Trophy performance.
On the opening day of the second Test at Pune, this outstanding bowling performance destroyed New Zealand, dismissing them for 259 runs.
Key Performances and Match Scorecard
India 16 for 1 (Southee 1-4) trail New Zealand 259 (Conway 76, Ravindra 65, Washington 7-59, Ashwin 3-64) by 243 runs.
Match Analysis
The spin combination of Sundar and R Ashwin changed the tide in India’s favor after Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra had previously put up strong fight by batting half-centuries.
Sundar wasn’t even in the squad three days prior to the Test’s commencement. He was called up to the playing XI to take the position of Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav following strong domestic performances. He earned his first Test five-wicket haul by tearing through New Zealand’s middle and lower order, rewarding the selectors’ faith. Sundar’s ability to accurately target the stumps was demonstrated by the fact that five of his dismissals were bowled.
Additionally, Ashwin was instrumental, taking three vital wickets to reach Nathan Lyon’s 530 test wickets total in 25 fewer games. The groundwork for India’s supremacy was established by the offspinner’s early successes, which included Conway’s crucial scalp. Following a solid start, Ashwin and Sundar’s connection proved crucial in containing New Zealand.
New Zealand started off well after winning the toss and choosing to bat, as Conway and Ravindra led the visitors to 138 for 2. Conway countered Ashwin and Jadeja with superb footwork despite the spinners’ help, and Ravindra maintained his strong play after winning Player-of-the-Match in Bengaluru. But before either hitter could take advantage of the situation, Conway was hit by Ashwin’s drift, and Sundar cleaned up Ravindra.
Sundar and Jasprit Bumrah leaked runs after lunch, which gave New Zealand time to recover. A change in momentum was brought about by Ashwin’s comeback, though, when he dismissed Conway with a brilliantly flighted delivery. Just before tea, Sundar did the same, removing Ravindra with a diamond. During his subsequent spell, he found his groove and used a combination of spin, seam location, and pace changes to destroy New Zealand’s bottom order.
Washington Sundar was at his best after tea, making excellent use of his variations. With a superb delivery that spun just enough to strike the leg stump, he trapped Daryl Mitchell leg before wicket. After struggling to score, Glenn Phillips was eventually dismissed by a misplaced shot, giving Sundar his third wicket. Mitchell Santner put up a fight late in the innings, hitting two sixes, but Sundar kept hitting and ended the innings by getting rid of Santner and tailenders Tim Southee and Ajaz Patel.
Tim Southee removed captain Rohit Sharma in the last overs as India finished the day at 16 for 1. India will want to establish a solid first-innings advantage on a pitch that is predicted to continue to deteriorate after falling behind by 243 runs.
