New Delhi: Washington Sundar had a dream outing on Thursday in the second Test between India and New Zealand at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune. The all-rounder was brought back to the playing XI for the clash that began on Thursday and he justified head coach Gautam Gambhir’s and skipper Rohit Sharma’s decision with a sensational bowling performance. Sundar returned figures of 7/59 in just 23.1 overs, helping India bundle out New Zealand for 259 in 79.1 overs on Day 1.
This was Sundar’s first-ever five-for in Test cricket and also his career-best figures in first-class cricket. The visitors were going quite well against India but Sundar wrestled control from them, being at the forefront. It is noteworthy that five of Sundar’s victims were bowled, one lbw, and one was caught. With half-centuries from Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra, New Zealand looked balanced but Sundar took out Ravindra as his first wicket of the game with a magical delivery.
NZ were 197/4 in 59.1 overs then, and what followed next was the dismantling of the remaining batting order as Sundar broke its spine. In the next 20 overs, six more wickets were scalped by the off-break bowler and NZ could just add 62 runs.
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T. I. M. B. E. R! 🎯
Cracker of a ball! 👌 👌
Washington Sundar with a breakthrough 🙌 🙌
Live ▶️ https://t.co/YVjSnKCtlI #TeamIndia | #INDvNZ | @Sundarwashi5 | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/OC8VS7fnwT
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 24, 2024
Sachin Tendulkar in awe of Sundar
Sundar’s performance on Day 1 attracted much attention from cricket pundits across the globe. India’s very own Sachin Tendulkar, a game legend, watched Sundar decimating New Zealand with his fiery spell and raved about his display with a unique poetic touch on his social media post on “X” (formerly Twitter). Sachin wrote, “Sundar bowling, Washington! Keep it going!”
Sundar bowling, Washington! Keep it going! 🏏👏#INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/Cdf6unnccl
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) October 24, 2024
Sundar’s victims were Ravindra (65), Daryl Mitchell (18), Tom Blundell (3), Glenn Phillips (9), Mitchell Santner (33), Tim Southee (5) and Ajaz Patel (4). Coming out to bat, India posted 16/1 in 11 overs at Stumps, trailing the Kiwis by 243 runs. Rohit was sent packing by Tim Southee for a nine-ball duck off a peach and was visibly upset with him like the Indian fans. Meanwhile, Yashasvi Jaiswal (6*) and Shubman Gill (10*) will be set to resume batting for the hosts on Day 2.
