2nd Test: Washington makes 'Sundar' comeback as India dominate opening day in Pune

India vs New Zealand: India dominated Day 1 of the 2nd Test match in Pune as Ravichandran Ashwin and Washington Sundar picked all 10 wickets in the first innings. Sundar took 7 wickets on his Test comeback on a spinner-friendly pitch.

In Short

• India bowled out NZ for 259 runs on Day 1 of Pune Test
• Washington Sundar picked up 7 wickets in 1st innings
• R Ashwin also went past Nathan Lyon in Test wicket tally

Washington Sundar picked 7 wickets on his comeback as India dominated Day 1 of the Pune Test match on Thursday, October 24. Seeking a comeback in the Test series after a terrible loss in Bengaluru, India hit back on the very first day of the 2nd Test, bowling New Zealand out in just 79.1 overs.

In stark contrast to the Bengaluru Test, India's spinners ran the show, picking up all 10 wickets on Day 1 in Pune. Ravichandran Ashwin kicked off the proceedings with three wickets in the top order, albeit in a phase that was largely controlled by the New Zealand batters, who showed ample patience to tick off runs. However, after Washington Sundar was able to remove Rachin Ravindra (65 off 105), it turned out to be a landslide.

It was a spin-friendly pitch, but not a rank turner that India have been accused of producing to aid their spinners in the past. However, Washington's magic, especially with the old ball, meant New Zealand lost their last 7 wickets for just 62 runs, going from 197 for 3 to 259-all out.

Washington Sundar finished with figures of 7 for 59, his best-ever bowling figures in a first-class match. Ashwin picked three wickets as the Tamil Nadu duo shared all 10 wickets between them.

IND v NZ, 2nd Test Day 1 Highlights

India would have headed to the close of play as a much happier team had they not lost captain Rohit Sharma for 0 towards the end of the day's play. India went to Stumps at 16 for 1 in 11 overs after Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal hung around and went to Stumps, surviving the tricky burst from the New Zealand spinners.

SELECTION MASTERSTROKE?

Questions were asked when Washington Sundar was picked in the XI ahead of Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel. Washington was not part of the squad for the first Test and was added as an extra spin-bowling option after India lost the opening Test. When he was named in the XI as one of the three changes to the team for the second Test, a few eyebrows were raised.

A few pundits suggested that India hit the panic button by dropping two of their proven spinners for Washington.

However, the decision turned out to be a masterstroke with Washington running away with the honours at the end of the day's play.

Washington started with an economical spell, beating the batter's edge on multiple occasions without any luck. R Ashwin, on the other hand, fared much better than the Bengaluru Test, picking up three wickets, including that of New Zealand captain Tom Latham in his very first over.

Ashwin was instrumental in keeping the pressure on the New Zealand batters in the first two sessions. The off-spinner got the big wicket of Devon Conway for 76 after the New Zealand opener was threatening to get a big score.

Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep were given short bursts after which captain Rohit Sharma turned to spin early, knowing fully well that the dry nature of the pitch in Pune would aid the spinners.

Washington Sundar marked his return to Test cricket with a sensational delivery with which he dismissed Rachin Ravindra, who hit his second fifty-plus score of the series. Rachin was threatening to take the game away from India, stitching a 59-run partnership with Daryl Mitchell.

Washington's selection was influenced by the presence of multiple left-handers in the team. However, the off-spinner troubled the right-handers as well. He got one to turn sharply from outside the off-stump to dismiss Tom Blundell.

Washington varied his pace and wrist position wonderfully well as he made sure some of his deliveries held its line and the others turned. It was a masterclass of spin-bowling on a pitch that was offering enough help. Sundar rattled the stumps of Tim Southee and Mithcell Santner, who tried to frustrate India with a last-wicket partnership.

Washington picked as many as five wickets by rattling the stumps, making a memorable return to the team after three years.