Team India, aiming for redemption after the loss in Bengaluru, stormed back with a stellar performance in the first innings of the Pune Test against New Zealand. The Indian spinners, led by Washington Sundar and Ravichandran Ashwin, dismantled the New Zealand batting lineup, bundling them out for just 259 runs on the first day of the second Test match.
Sundar’s Career-Best Performance
Washington Sundar, who was playing his first Test match in over three years, delivered a dream performance, taking a career-best 7 wickets for 59 runs. The young spinner from Chennai wreaked havoc on the Kiwis, helping India regain momentum in the series. His previous best in Test cricket was 3/89, but with this brilliant display, Sundar proved his worth as a key player in India’s bowling attack.
Sundar also made history by becoming the first Indian bowler to take 5 or more wickets in an innings at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune. It was also his best-ever performance in first-class cricket, surpassing his earlier record of 6/87. Out of his 7 wickets, Sundar clean-bowled 5 New Zealand batsmen, joining an elite list of Indian bowlers like Jasubhai Patel, Bapu Nadkarni, Anil Kumble, and Ravindra Jadeja, who have also achieved this rare feat.
Ashwin’s Crucial Contribution
Veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin supported Sundar by taking 3 wickets, cementing his position as one of India’s finest spinners. With these wickets, Ashwin became the leading wicket-taker in the history of the World Test Championship, surpassing Australia’s Nathan Lyon with 189 wickets to his name.
Spin Duo Create History for India
In a remarkable achievement for Indian cricket, Sundar and Ashwin became the first off-spin pair to take all 10 wickets in a single Test innings. This had never happened before in India’s cricket history. While spinners have dominated innings in the past, this was the first time that only off-spinners were responsible for all 10 dismissals.
Overall, it was the sixth time in Indian cricket that all 10 wickets in an innings were taken by spinners on the first day of a Test match. The last time this happened was during the Dharamshala Test against England in March 2024.
New Zealand’s Struggles Continue
New Zealand had a decent start to their innings after winning the toss and opting to bat first, but Sundar’s brilliant bowling completely derailed their progress. The Kiwis found it hard to handle the spin and precision of Sundar and Ashwin, leading to their collapse.
With the Chennai duo leading the way, India now holds a commanding position in the match, giving the team a much-needed boost after their previous loss. Sundar’s sensational performance and Ashwin’s consistent contributions highlight the strength of India’s spin bowling attack, which continues to trouble teams across the world.
