October 24, 2024 — Indian off-spinner Washington Sundar produced a mesmerizing bowling display on Day 1 of the second Test against New Zealand, held at the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium in Pune. Sundar’s bowling brilliance brought India back into the game as he claimed three crucial wickets, leaving New Zealand at 222/6 by the end of the third session.
Before the match, the decision to include Washington Sundar over other bowlers was a subject of debate. Critics questioned whether this was the right move, but Sundar silenced them with an extraordinary performance. He started by dismissing New Zealand’s in-form batter Rachin Ravindra with a spectacular delivery. The ball drifted in, turned sharply, and clean-bowled Ravindra, who had been leading the Kiwi charge with a solid 65 off 105 balls.
Game-Changing Over in the Second Session
Sundar struck twice in a game-changing spell late in the second session. After Ravindra’s dismissal, he sent across Daryl Mitchell (18 off 54 balls) leg before wicket and then cleaned up Tom Blundell through the gate. The wickets came at a crucial juncture when New Zealand seemed to be cruising along at 197/3 without India gaining any leverage in the match.
Conway and Ravindra Steady Start for New Zealand
Earlier in the day, New Zealand elected to bat first and it went off reasonably well, if not perfectly, considering that a few early wickets fell. Apart from one fluency-rich 77 by Devon Conway, marked with elegant cover drives and precise reverse sweeps that helped steady the innings with Ravindra, the duo even put up a 59-run partnership before Sundar’s sharp deliveries helped break their flow and ensure India did gain control as the day progressed.
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Brief Scores at the Day 1 till 3 PM
236/7 (73.4 ov)
(Devon Conway 77, Rachin Ravindra 65; Washington Sundar 3-34, R Ashwin 2-48)
India: Yet to bat
Washington Sundar’s Impact: Four wickets taken by Sundar, particularly the wicket of Rachin Ravindra, was very crucial as it broke a strong partnership and swung the momentum in India’s favour.
The spinners from India, comprising Ashwin and Jadeja, found the teeth in the slowish Pune pitch to put pressure on New Zealand’s batsmen.
New Zealand’s middle order collapse: Conway and Ravindra had given a good start for New Zealand, but the sudden lapse of wickets puts them on the back foot. They do not have other options but for a great show by the lower order to put up a testing first innings total.
Conclusion
Washington Sundar’s bowling performance was the highlight of the day as it allowed India to get the better of a New Zealand that got off to a great start. He has plugged in the three crucial wickets, setting the stage for India to end the series as it began-to level the three-match contest-on equal terms. The Indians will look to milk this advantage further as the contest unfolds today.
