India vs New Zealand: The Indian Team is Behind by 243 Runs But Washington Sundar Makes A Stunning Comeback Picking 7 Wickets.
The first day of the second test of the India-New Zealand test series played at Pune, saw exciting and early wickets taken by spinners. At the close of play, the host team reached 16 runs for the loss of 1 wicket and were left trailing by 243 runs when New Zealand were all out at the score of 259 mainly thanks to Washington Sundar who was tragic for the New Zealanders who returned to the Indian test squad and had his best test performance of his career with 7-59.
A Dominant Comeback for Washington Sundar
After a hiatus spanning from March 2021, Washington Sundar was welcomed back into the Test team and he instantly made his mark in the bowling department. Of course, the best performance of the day has to be his 7-wicket haul, which marked his maiden five-wicket achievement in Test match cricket. Sundar’s off-spin was key to destroying New Zealand’s resistance in the middle and lower order as he took charge after the visitors had got off to a good start during their innings.
Sundar’s first historic moment came when he dismissed Ravindra with a score of 65. With this, he broke the 4th wicket stand of Daryl Mitchell which lasted for 59 runs. After that point, things went downhill for New Zealand’s middle order who got out from a decent position of 197-3 to 259 all out. Sundar’s fifth wicket was that of Tim Southee and then he went on to clean up the tail in the last session of the day, reacting aggressively upon his return to Test cricket.
Ashwin’s Support and Key Contributions
Although Sundar had the best of the performance throughout the day, Ravichandran Ashwin proved to be instrumental as well with the ball. The seasoned off spinner managed to take 3-64, the most significant scalp being Devon Conway who was the top scorer for New Zealand with 76 runs. Ashwin’s conquest of Conway was a significant landmark in the spinner’s career as it took him over Nathan Lyon’s 530 test wicket tally and places him seventh among the greatest test wicket takers in history.
Ashwin struck in the first session itself, as he got New Zealand’s captain Tom Latham out LBW for 15 with just his fifth ball of the test. He then dismissed Will Young for 18 caught behind to further assist India in redressing New Zealand’s early charge.
New Zealand’s Resilient Batting
New Zealand wanted to bat first after winning the toss, but things were uncomfortable at the beginning. Conway and Latham withstood the initial assault from India’s seamers, Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep. With the score at 38-1, it was time for Conway to step up against spin and he did well. He had Ravindra for company, and the two left-handers added crucial 62 runs, for the third wicket, putting off the Indian spinners during a tough period for the batting side.
Conway completed his 11th Test half-century reaching the score after the interval lunch. It did not take long for the over All- rounder Indian cricketer to reach his milestone; in fact, he still showed composure bouncing each one up to the joys of advising him. However, things took a positive turn for India when Ashwin took over from behind and the turning ball snatched up Conway.
Ravindra, who started slowly but was looking good with his 65 eventually fell into the trap set up by Sundar, sparking off a procession from which New Zealand could not do anything. Lower-order batsmen fought hard but Sundar was met a tidy finish in the 79.1 overs that sealed the innings.
India’s Response: A Wobbly Start
India’s batting department started on a poor note with the loss of the captain Rohit Sharma for a duck on nine balls. A quality delivery from Tim Southee which pitched on pads and diverted from the batter further to hit the off-stump, gave New Zealand crucial first blood.
The remaining overs of the day were brought to a close by Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill, who ended the day at 16-1. Jaiswal scored six not out and Gill managed only 10 runs during the first test over. The Indian openers now confront a difficult task on day two and that is more because the conditions are only going to assist the spinners as the match goes on.
A Series at Stake
Day one in Pune will determine India’s success or failure as they look to tie the series, having already lost the first match by eight wickets which was held in Bengaluru. New Zealand achieved a milestone by securing the first Test victory in India since 1988 and is now poised to clinch its maiden Test series win in India. India is behind by 243 runs and with the pitch expected to spin more as the Test progresses, the next few days will witness fierce tussles between bat and ball.
India’s spin attack comprising Sunil, Ashwin and currently in form young Sundar has already made some strides. That said, they need an Indian top-order who currently lacks in strength to perform since New Zealand bowlers have started dominating the innings early on.
What Lies Ahead
The first two days of this Test match could prove decisive for both teams. For India, it is crucial to withstand New Zealand’s formidable first-inning attack by putting up a decent score with the bat. For the tourists, a few early scalps on a preliminary joint plaque will help them enormously in their quest to create history. While the test moves on, it will be interesting to see how the pitch plays and whether the fresh faces of the Indian batting unit crack under pressure while pursuing an essential test match.