[Watch] Washington Sundar castles Rachin Ravindra for 65 with a peach of a delivery in 2nd IND vs NZ 2024 TestÂ
Team India all-rounder Washington Sundar made an impact following his unexpected inclusion in the playing XI after he claimed the crucial wicket of Rachin Ravindra on Day 1 of the second Test against New Zealand. The off-spinner outfoxed the set-batter with a brilliant delivery in the late stages of the second session at the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium in Pune.
Ravindra was looking in ominous touch, extending his momentum from the sublime ton he scored in the series opener in Bengaluru. The left-handed batter, came into bat after Will Young's dismissal in the 24th over, and struck a partnership with Devon Conway.
He was looking all set to convert his fifty into yet another ton, but his knock came to an abrupt end courtesy of a brilliant delivery by Sundar, who was beginning a new spell. The off-spinner, who was specifically picked to counter the left-handed batters, came through as he got one to grip off the surface.
Pitched on a good length, Ravindra strode forward to block it, but the ball straightened after pitching and sneaked past the outside edge to rattle the off-stump.
Have a look at the dismissal right here:
Spinners have accounted for all of the wickets on the first day so far. R Ashwin had set the tempo after striking in his first over itself, and then going on to dismiss Will Young and Devon Conway too.
Washington Sundar struck again to dismiss Tom Blundell to conclude the session
Sundar accounted for another wicket in his very next over as he breached Tom Blundell's defence to castle him for just three runs. New Zealand slipped towards the end of the session to give India a shot at a comeback, and walked back with the score reading 201/5 at tea.
Daryl Mitchell is still unbeaten on 16 runs, and has looked solid so far. Glenn Phillips is expected to come out to bat to kickstart the final session of the opening day, and could have a say with his counter-attacking abilities.