Washington Sundar Marks Test Return with Stunning 7-Wicket Haul During IND vs NZ 2nd Test
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Read Original Content: Washington Sundar Marks Test Return with Stunning 7-Wicket Haul During IND vs NZ 2nd Test
India’s off-spinner Washington Sundar hogged all the limelight on the first day of the second Test against New Zealand in Pune, delivering a stellar performance with figures of 7/59.
Making his return to the Test side after an extended absence, Sundar’s bowling effort restricted New Zealand to 259, putting India in the driver’s seat early in the match.
The visitors started well after skipper Tom Latham opted to bat, with Devon Conway (76) and Rachin Ravindra (65) steering the innings.
The duo put up 62 runs for the third wicket and appeared to be building a solid foundation. Conway followed up with another 59-run partnership alongside Daryl Mitchell, but Sundar’s introduction changed the complexion of the game.
The off-spinner broke the promising stand by dismissing Ravindra and then tore through the New Zealand lineup.
Returning to the Test fold for the first time since January 2021, Sundar not only claimed his first five-wicket haul but also bagged his maiden seven-for in red-ball cricket.
He completed the milestone by dismissing Tim Southee, marking his first five-wicket haul on Indian soil since 2017.
Sundar’s inclusion in the playing XI came after India made three changes, with him, Shubman Gill, and Akash Deep replacing Kuldeep Yadav, KL Rahul, and Mohammed Siraj.
While Ravichandran Ashwin (3/64) also chipped in with crucial wickets, including the dismissal of Conway, it was Sundar’s spell that proved decisive.
Ashwin’s day wasn’t without its highlights—he surpassed Nathan Lyon’s 530-wicket tally, moving up to seventh on the all-time Test wicket-takers list.
Best figures for India vs NZ in Tests
- 8/72 S Venkatraghavan Delhi 1965
- 8/76 EAS Prasanna Auckland 1975
- 7/59 R Ashwin Indore 2017
- 7/59 Washington Sundar Pune 2024
The Pune pitch, which started to assist spin early, allowed India’s bowlers to gain the upper hand. Ashwin struck first, trapping Latham lbw for 15, but it was Sundar who dominated the rest of the innings.
His performance continued India’s long tradition of success with spinners against New Zealand. Notably, this is only the second time in Test history that two Indian bowlers have finished with identical figures of 7/59 against the Kiwis—matching Ashwin’s feat from Indore in 2017.
India Eyes Series Leveller
India’s spinners claimed all 10 New Zealand wickets, underlining their dominance on a turning track.
With the pitch expected to offer more assistance on the second day, India will be confident of leveling the three-match series after losing the opener in Bengaluru.
That loss was New Zealand’s first Test win in India since 1988, adding extra pressure on the home side to bounce back.
Read Original Content: Washington Sundar Marks Test Return with Stunning 7-Wicket Haul During IND vs NZ 2nd Test
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