IND vs NZ, 2nd Test: Sundar’s Spin Restricts New Zealand to 259, India Respond Cautiously After Rohit’s Early Exit

IND vs NZ: Washington Sundar’s seven-wicket haul stuns New Zealand, restricting them to 259 on Day 1. India begins their innings cautiously after losing Rohit Sharma for a duck.

IND vs NZ: Sundar Shines as India Bundles Out New Zealand for 259

India’s bowling brilliance, led by Washington Sundar’s exceptional seven-wicket haul, stole the show on Day 1 of the second Test against New Zealand in Pune. Sundar’s stunning performance helped bowl out the visitors for 259, putting India in control early on. However, India’s response with the bat was cautious, as they ended the day at 16/1, losing opener Rohit Sharma for a duck.

Rohit’s Early Exit and India’s Careful Start

India, despite bundling out New Zealand for a modest total, faced an early setback with the loss of Rohit Sharma on the first ball he faced. Sharma, departing without scoring, left India at 0/1, putting pressure on the team right from the start. The cautious approach continued as Yashasvi Jaiswal (6 off 25 balls) and Shubman Gill (10 off 32 balls) managed to steady the innings slightly. With the score at 16/1 at the end of the day, India has a lot to do to build a solid foundation on a pitch that has already shown its spin-friendly nature.

The spin duo of Mitchell Santner and Ajaz Patel will pose significant challenges for India’s batting lineup as they continue their innings on Day 2. With a dry and turning pitch in Pune, India’s batters will need to navigate through the testing conditions carefully to build a meaningful lead.

Washington Sundar’s Spin Masterclass

The standout performance of the day came from Washington Sundar, whose seven-wicket haul became the talk of the Test. Playing in just his fifth Test match and returning to the squad after a three-and-a-half-year absence, Sundar proved his selection over Kuldeep Yadav was justified. His exceptional bowling spell of 7/78 dismantled New Zealand’s middle and lower order, helping India limit the Kiwis to a sub-260 total.

New Zealand, who won the toss and opted to bat, began the day well with a steady partnership between Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra. However, Sundar’s accurate line and ability to extract sharp turn on the Pune pitch broke their resistance. After Conway reached his 11th Test half-century, Ravichandran Ashwin claimed his wicket, ending a critical 62-run partnership. Ashwin’s wicket of Conway marked a historic milestone, as he surpassed Australia’s Nathan Lyon to become the seventh-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket.

Despite a solid start from Conway (76 off 141 balls) and Rachin Ravindra (65 off 105 balls), New Zealand collapsed dramatically. Sundar’s magic with the ball saw the Kiwis lose their last seven wickets for just 62 runs, with none of their batters able to handle his sharp turn and relentless accuracy.

Sundar Breaks Through New Zealand’s Middle Order

Sundar’s dominance began when he removed Rachin Ravindra, who was looking set for a big score. He then ran through New Zealand’s middle order, dismissing key players like Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell. His bowling not only broke partnerships but also kept New Zealand’s run rate under control throughout their innings.

New Zealand’s batting struggles continued as Sundar dismissed the tail-enders, wrapping up the innings by taking Tim Southee’s wicket in the final session of the day. His career-best figures of 7/78 will be remembered as one of the finest bowling performances in Pune, giving India a solid platform to build on.

India’s Challenge on Day 2

As Day 2 approaches, India will have to bat with caution on the spin-friendly track. The overnight pair, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill, will need to play carefully to see off the Kiwi spinners and lay the foundation for India’s middle order. New Zealand, meanwhile, will aim to capitalize on the early breakthroughs and keep India under pressure with their own spin attack.

With the match finely poised after Day 1, the second day promises to be a crucial one for both teams as they vie for control in this important Test series.