IND v NZ 2nd Test: New Zealand team collapsed in front of Washington Sundar
India vs New Zealand, 2nd Test: Washington Sundar won everyone's heart by returning to the Indian Test team after three and a half years. This tall off-spinner played an important role in restricting New Zealand to 259 runs on the first day of the Pune Test. The second match of the three-Test series between India and New Zealand is being played at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium.
The Indian team made three changes for this match and included Akashdeep, Washington Sundar and Shubman Gill in the playing eleven in place of Mohammad Siraj, KL Rahul and Kuldeep Yadav. And Rohit Sharma's move worked because Washington Sundar took not one or two but seven wickets of New Zealand alone, in which he clean bowled five batsmen.
Let us tell you about all the wickets of Sundar in a sequential manner. Sundar, who made a place in the team in place of Kuldeep Yadav, deceived Rachin Ravindra, who was in great rhythm, with his off-spin ball and the ball collided with the wickets. Ravindra, who scored 134 and 39 not out in the first match of the series, contributed 65 runs.
His dismissal brought relief to the Indian camp. Washington Sundar then bowled Tom Blundell (3 runs) on the last ball before the tea session. It was a dream delivery for an off-spinner, inviting the batsman for a drive and then clean bowled with a big gap between the bat and the pad. The ball had as much spin as it had great bounce. Sundar's third victim was Daryl Mitchell. Mitchell, who had scored 18 runs in 53 balls, was trying to play the ball on the front foot, but completely missed the turn. The umpire may have given him not out on a strong appeal, but then the decision had to be changed on India's DRS. Another big blow to New Zealand immediately after the tea session. Now the score had become 204/6. It was a soft dismissal. Glenn Phillips wanted to hit a shot over mid-off, but it could not happen. Ravichandran Ashwin, who was ready there, took an easy catch.
Phillips scored nine runs in 31 balls. New Zealand suffered the seventh blow at 236 runs and Sundar now had the fourth wicket in his account. Washington Sundar, who returned after 45 months, took the first five-wicket haul of his Test career. Saudi was playing for the angle, but the ball pitches on the leg stump and hits the outside edge of the off stump. Saudi was clean bowled after scoring five runs in eight balls. New Zealand suffered the eighth blow at 242 runs.
New Zealand's veteran spinner Ajaz Patel had to taste his own bitter medicine. Ajaz Patel had no answer to the length ball. The ball skidded and did not turn. Full length ball, which hits the back leg and hits the wicket. Ajaz Patel scored four runs and New Zealand lost the ninth wicket at 252 runs.
Sundar couldn't have bowled a prettier ball to bowl New Zealand all out. It was a short length ball that was on the off stump, the batsman was beaten by the turn. Sundar shortened the length a bit this time, and kept the ball on the off stump. Santner was beaten by the turn. He stood at the crease while the ball took the outside edge of his bat and hit the off stump. Best bowling figures for Washington in first-class cricket: 7 wickets for 59 runs in 23.1 overs. Santner out after scoring 33 runs. New Zealand's innings ended at 259 runs