Tea break update: Washington Sundar leads India’s fightback against New Zealand
Pune: Washington Sundar turned the tide in India’s favour with two crucial wickets late in the second session, including the in-form Rachin Ravindra, as New Zealand stumbled to 201/5 at tea on Day 1 of the second Test here on Thursday.
Sundar Strikes at Crucial Moments
Sundar, selected ahead of Kuldeep Yadav to tackle New Zealand's left-handers, delivered a perfect ball that turned from length, beating Ravindra’s outside edge and hitting the off-stump. Ravindra, who had brought up his fourth Test fifty and looked set for a century with 65 runs, fell victim to Sundar’s persistence. The right-arm spinner also dismissed Tom Blundell for just three runs, helping India end the session on a high note.
Ashwin Joins the Wicket-Taking Effort
New Zealand resumed their innings at 92/2 and appeared to be in control during the afternoon session. However, a change in bowling ended up benefiting Sundar, who joined Ravichandran Ashwin (3/48) among the wicket-takers. After lunch, Jasprit Bumrah was struck for four boundaries in his first over, with Devon Conway reaching his fifty and helping New Zealand surpass the 100-run mark.
Despite a steady partnership, it was Ashwin who made his presence felt again, claiming Conway’s wicket for his third of the day and marking his 531st overall. This achievement took him past Australian spinner Nathan Lyon in the list of all-time highest wicket-takers. Conway’s innings concluded with 76 runs from 141 balls, including 11 boundaries, after he edged an innocuous delivery outside the off stump.
Near Misses and Close Calls
Ashwin nearly claimed another wicket when Daryl Mitchell (16 not out) ventured down the pitch but inside-edged the ball, narrowly escaping a catch to Sarfaraz Khan at short leg. Ravindra also experienced a close call in the 55th over from Ravindra Jadeja, who bowled a quicker delivery that slipped through Sarfaraz’s fingers after the batter danced down the track.
Ravindra responded vigorously, striking two fours off Akash Deep in the following over, one of which sailed over Shubman Gill at short cover. However, Akash Deep soon drew an edge off Ravindra's bat, but the ball eluded a diving Yashasvi Jaiswal at gully. PTI