India absolutely grabbed the 2nd Test against New Zealand by the horns on Day 1, with their spinners turning the Kiwis into dizzy tourists at a spin theme park. Washington Sundar and Ravichandran Ashwin led the charge, sending New Zealand packing for a modest 259 runs in 79.1 overs. It was less “batting” and more “batting practice” for the Indian spinners, who made the Kiwi lineup look like they’d forgotten how to handle a cricket ball altogether!
New Zealand’s Struggling Innings
New Zealand won the toss and, with high hopes, chose to bat first—only to stumble around like they were trying to bat on ice! Tom Latham and Devon Conway managed to scrape together 32 runs for the first wicket before Conway decided he’d had enough fun at 76 and handed his wicket over to Ravichandran Ashwin like a parting gift. Rachin Ravindra chipped in with a valiant 65, but the middle order? Well, they showed up like they were on a lunch break, offering as much support as a cardboard umbrella in a monsoon!
Sundar’s Stellar Bowling
Washington Sundar was the star of the show, spinning webs so tight the Kiwi batsmen might as well have been flies! He bagged a jaw-dropping 7 wickets for just 59 runs, looking like he was bowling with a cheat code. Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, and Tom Blundell? Sundar took them out like he was casually checking items off a grocery list. His 7/59 now stands as the best bowling figure in Tests at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune—because when Sundar’s in the zone, records just get politely out of the way!
Ashwin’s Milestones
Ashwin reminded everyone why he’s basically a walking spin encyclopedia, snatching 3 wickets for 64 runs like it was his weekend hobby. Not only did he surpass Nathan Lyon to become the seventh-highest wicket-taker in Test history with 531 wickets, but he also became the lead wicket-taker in the World Test Championship with 189 wickets. It’s like every time Ashwin picks up a ball, the record books start sweating nervously, wondering, “What’s he going to break next?” Safe to say, Ashwin’s spin isn’t just an art form—it’s a full-on wicket-collecting machine!
India’s Cautious Response
India’s response to New Zealand’s innings started with a surprise twist—captain Rohit Sharma decided to make an early exit for a duck in the third over, courtesy of Tim Southee. It was almost like he thought, “Why stick around when I can catch an early nap?” But fear not! Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill tiptoed cautiously through the next few overs like they were navigating a minefield, ending the day at 16/1 after 11 overs. It wasn’t the most thrilling score, but hey, at least no more wickets fell, right?
Key Stats and Takeaways
- Washington Sundar’s 7/59: Best bowling figures in Tests in Pune.
- Ravichandran Ashwin’s milestones: 531 Test wickets, 189 World Test Championship wickets.
- Rohit Sharma’s record: fourth-most duck as Indian captain in international cricket.
- Devon Conway’s contribution: 76 runs, his second fifty on the tour.
India Dominated Day 1 of the 2nd Test Against New Zealand
