New Delhi: Washington Sundar has become India’s go-to man in the ongoing Test series against New Zealand. Called up in the squad ahead of the second Test, Sundar impressed with a magnificent performance in Pune, picking up a total of 11 wickets, including a seven-wicket haul in the first innings. The off-spinning all-rounder has carried the form in the third and final Test in Mumbai by once again emerging as the main man in India’s bowling unit.
While it was fast bowler Akash Deep who got the first wicket by trapping Devon Conway right in front in the fourth over, it was Sundar who broke the dangerous-looking partnership between Latham and Will Young.
The left-hand, right-hand combination added 44 runs for the second wicket but before the duo could take the game away from the hosts, the introduction of spin and particularly Sundar saw India getting back into the contest.
Sundar bowled two absolute jaffas to clean Latham (28) and Rachin Ravindra (5) in the space of four overs as the visitors slipped from 59 for 1 to 72 for 3.
Both dismissals were almost identical as Sundar successfully beat the outside edge of both the left-handers and struck timber twice.
WATCH: SUNDAR BAMBOOZLES LATHAM, RAVINDRA
1⃣ Brings 2⃣, they say!
Washington Sundar agrees! ☺️
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India edged the first session on Day 1 as New Zealand reached 92 for 3 at Lunch. Will Young (38) and Daryl Mitchell (11) are unbeaten at the crease with a partnership of 20 off 43 balls.
Earlier, Kiwi skipper Latham won the toss and opted to bat first at the Wankhede Stadium. The visitors made two changes to their playing XI with Matt Henry coming in the place of Tim Southee while Mitchell Santner, India’s tormentor in the Pune Test courtesy of a 13-wicket match haul, was sidelined due to a side strain. Santner was replaced by leg-spinner Ish Sodhi.
For India, Mohammed Siraj returned to the playing X1 after Jasprit Bumrah was ruled out due to a viral illness.
Trailing 0-2 in the series, India can’t level or win the series but a win in Mumbai would save them from an embarrassing whitewash at home and boost their WTC final hopes.
