Tamil Nadu off-spinner combines with illustrious Statemate Ashwin to pick up all 10 wickets, finishes with figures of 23.1-4-59-7; the visitors lose their way after half-centuries from Conway and Rachin
The master gave the early breakthroughs. And the protege — also from his hometown — carried on the mantle in a manner that not only overshadowed the master, but also helped India restrict New Zealand to 259 on a track that offered turn right from the start.
Riding on Washington Sundar’s sensational spell and R. Ashwin’s crucial strikes, India bowled out
New Zealand in the last hour of the opening day’s play of the second Test on Thursday. Tim Southee then rattled Rohit Sharma’s off stump as India finished at 16 for one on a hot and humid day at the Maharashtra Cricket Association’s stadium at Gahunje.
On a pitch that was tailor-made for India’s spin trio — with Washington replacing Kuldeep Yadav — Tom Latham won a crucial toss. Ashwin, introduced in the eighth over, struck off his fifth ball, beating the visiting captain with a little bit of drift and turn and Latham accepting the on-field umpire’s decision. An early wicket for Ashwin always brings ominous signs for the opposition but the veteran offie had to wait a little longer before Sarfaraz Khan, preferred over K.L. Rahul, at forward short-leg played a big role in Will Young’s dismissal.
Ashwin bowled one on the leg-stump that turned further away and Young closed the face of his bat and Rishabh Pant accepted it neatly down the leg. Ashwin was unsure of a contact, Pant did not appeal but Sarfaraz forced Rohit to review the call and the replays showed the ball having kissed the glove.
Conway was sweeping and reverse-sweeping the spinners effectively and also scored three boundaries in the opening over off Jasprit Bumrah in the afternoon session. Rachin joined him and used his feet effectively against the spinners.
Conway successfully went after Washington before nicking one off Ashwin and Pant took it cleanly. Daryl Mitchell never really got himself in but hung in as Rachin continued to dominate the bowlers.
With around 15 minutes remaining for the tea break, Rohit Sharma reintroduced Washington into the attack from the south end. Until then, he had bowled 13 overs in two spells from the north end with no success. But the first ball of his new ball turned out to be the game changer. It pitched on the middle, drew Rachin forward and turned just a little bit to hit the top of off-stump.
In his next over, Tom Blundell was beaten in the flight as the ball turned and crashed into the middle stump and Washington’s comeback to Test cricket was well and truly marked.
The last session saw Washington continuing his dream spell that read 10.1-1-28-7.
The lanky spinner attacked the stumps and was rewarded regularly. The fact that five of his seven victims were bowled underlined his accuracy. It was fitting that he ended the innings by beating Mitchell Santner with turn and the ball crashing into the off-stump.
India’s specialist batters will be hoping that they won’t have to ask too much of the Chennai charmers with the bat on day two.