What happened on Day 1 of the 2nd IND vs NZ 2024 Test?
Off-spinner Washington Sundar registered career-best figures of 7-59 as India bowled out New Zealand for 259 on Day 1 of the second Test at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune on Thursday, October 24. In reply, India went to stumps at 16-1. Skipper Rohit Sharma fell for a duck to an absolute brute from Tim Southee as a good-length ball shaped away late and knocked him over.
Batting first after winning the toss, the Kiwis got off to a brisk start and went to lunch at 92-2. Ravichandran Ashwin (3-64) broke the opening stand by dismissing New Zealand captain Tom Latham (15). The left-handed batter was trapped lbw by one that turned away to beat the outside edge of the opener.
Devon Conway and Will Young added 44 for the second wicket. However, Young (18) gloved one down leg off Ashwin to end the stand. India took a smart DRS call, with Sarfaraz Khan being the one who convinced Rohit and was proved right. Ashwin had his third scalp in the second session when Conway (76) flirted at a good-length delivery outside off and nicked the ball to the keeper.
Washington Sundar dazzles in Pune on Day 1 of IND vs NZ 2024 2nd Test
After Ashwin picked up the first three wickets to fall in New Zealand's first innings, another off-spinner Sundar took charge of the proceedings. Drafted into the squad ahead of the second Test, the 25-year-old was picked in the playing XI ahead of Kuldeep Yadav. The Tamil Nadu cricketer repaid the faith with a sensational bowling display in Pune.
Sundar ended the in-form Rachin Ravindra's (65) stay at the crease with a ripper. The offie got one to beat the left-hander's outside edge and knocked him over. He then got one to grip and turn and cleaned up Tom Blundell (3) to reduce the Kiwis to 201-5 at tea on Day 1 of the Test match.
Sundar continued his brilliant performance in the last session, trapping Daryl Mitchell (18) lbw with one that beat the batter's defense. India took another good DRS to get the decision in their favor. Glenn Phillips (9) played a nothing stroke to be caught well inside the boundary. The Indian off-spinner then cleaned up Tim Southee (5), Ajaz Patel (4) and Mitchell Santner (33) to finish with a seven-fer.