The second match of the three-Test series between India and New Zealand started at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune on Thursday, 24 October. By the end of the first day, India had scored 16 runs for the loss of one wicket in their first innings. Shubman Gill was unbeaten on 10 runs, and Yashasvi Jaiswal was with him at 6 runs. India’s captain Rohit Sharma was dismissed for a duck by Tim Southee.
India Vs New Zealand Test 2: Story of the first inning
Earlier in the day, New Zealand won the toss and chose to bat. They were all out for 259 runs in 79.1 overs after tea. Their last seven wickets fell quickly, adding just 62 runs. Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra both scored half-centuries, while Mitchell Santner added a brisk 33 off 51 balls. Apart from these three, none of the New Zealand batters could make an impact.
Washington Sundar – Star performer of the day
Washington Sundar was the star for India, taking 7 wickets, while Ravichandran Ashwin took 3.This was Washington’s first-ever five-wicket haul in Test cricket and his best figures in first-class matches. Ashwin, with his three wickets, went past Nathan Lyon’s 530 wickets in 25 fewer Tests. The two might face off later this year in Australia, but for now, India was battling to defend their 18-series home winning streak. Washington played a key role in helping Ashwin.
By tea, New Zealand had scored 201 runs for the loss of 5 wickets. Daryl Mitchell was on 16 runs when tea was called. Devon Conway was dismissed for 76, and Rachin Ravindra for 65. Tom Latham made 15, Tom Blundell was out for 3, and Will Young scored 18. Ashwin had taken 3 wickets by that point, and Sundar had taken 2, including the key wickets of Ravindra and Blundell just before tea.
India Vs New Zealand Test 2: Squad changes
New Zealand made one change in their lineup, bringing in Mitchell Santner in place of the injured Matt Henry. India made three changes to their team, with Shubman Gill, Akashdeep, and Washington Sundar coming in for KL Rahul, Mohammad Siraj, and Kuldeep Yadav. India lost the first Test in Bengaluru and are currently trailing 1-0 in the series. After losing just two home Tests between 2013 and 2022, India has lost three in the last two years.
Also read: R Ashwin Surpasses Nathan Lyon to Become 7th Highest Wicket-Taker in Test History
