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Washington Sundar wreaked havoc on New Zealand batters with his spin artistry on Day 1 of the second Test in Pune on October 24. India's star off-spinner Sundar delivered a stellar performance, claiming a career-best seven-wicket haul in Tests to bowl out New Zealand for 259. The decision to include Sundar in the playing XI over Kuldeep Yadav proved to be a masterstroke. New Zealand batters had literally no clue to Sundar's spin wizardry as he went on to notch 7/59.
With this Sundar also clocked multiple records. The star all-rounder became the first Indian to record a seven-fer in Pune in the longest format.
Washington's performance ranks among India's best bowling displays against New Zealand.
Best figures for India vs NZ in Tests
8/72 S Venkatraghavan Delhi 1965
8/76 EAS Prasanna Auckland 1975
7/59 R Ashwin Indore 2017
7/59 Washington Sundar Pune 2024
Sundar's historic seven-wicket haul is the best bowling performance by an Indian bowler against New Zealand since the inception of the World Test Championship in 2019.
Best bowling figures vs New Zealand in WTC history
Washington Sundar - 7/59 in Pune, 2024
Prabath Jayasuriya - 6/42 in Galle, 2024
Ebadot Hossain - 6/46 in Mount Maunganui, 2022
Nathan Lyon - 6/65 in Wellingson, 2024
Taijul Islam - 6/76 in Sylhet, 2023
Dismissing most batters bowled in an inngs (India)
5 Jasubhai Patel vs Aus Kanpur 1959
5 Bapu Nadkarni vs Aus Brabourne 1960
5 Anil Kumble vs SA Joburg 1992
5 Ravindra Jadeja vs Aus Delhi 2023
5 Washington Sundar vs NZ Pune 2024
Three of the four bowlers in the above list have represented Tamil Nadu in domestic cricket.
Spinners taking all ten 1st inngs wickets on day 1 of a Test in India
Ind vs NZ Pune 2024
Ind vs Eng Dharamsala 2024
Ind vs Eng Chennai 1973
Ind vs Aus Chennai 1964
Ind vs Aus Kolkata 1956
Eng vs Ind Kanpur 1952
Sundar's breakthrough came when he dismissed Rachin Ravindra, who was well-set on 65. A perfectly flighted delivery spun past Ravindra's outside edge and crashed into the stumps. The Kiwi batsman, who was eyeing a century, fell victim to Sundar's skill. The off-spinner continued his impressive spell, removing Tom Blundell with another unplayable delivery. India went into the tea break with a significant advantage, thanks to Sundar's heroics.
Earlier in the day, New Zealand had started strongly, with Devon Conway reaching his half-century. However, India's bowlers, led by Sundar and Ashwin, turned the tide in their favor. Bumrah, despite a wayward first over after the lunch break, contributed to the team's success.
After the tea break, New Zealand's batsmen, led by Devon Conway, continued to dominate the Indian bowlers. However, Ravichandran Ashwin's introduction to the attack changed the course of the game. Ashwin, who had already claimed three wickets, dismissed Conway, who was looking in good touch. The Kiwi opener's dismissal was a significant blow to New Zealand's innings. Daryl Mitchell, another Kiwi batsman who has struggled to convert starts, had a lucky escape when he attempted to take on Ashwin. The ball, however, didn't carry to the short leg fielder, Sarfaraz Khan.
In another close call, Rachin Ravindra was fortunate to survive a sharp chance off Ravindra Jadeja's bowling. Sarfaraz Khan, the wicket-keeper, made a diving attempt but couldn't hold on to the ball. These near-misses kept New Zealand's hopes alive, but India's bowlers were relentless in their pursuit of wickets. Ravindra countered Akash Deep's over with two boundaries, one of which sailed over Shubman Gill, who had moved closer to the batsman. In the following over, Akash Deep induced an edge from Ravindra, but Yashasvi Jaiswal, diving to his right at gully, couldn't quite reach the ball. Ravindra finally fell to Washington's trap after scoring 65 off 105. After Rachin's wicket, none of the Kiwi batters could stay long on the pitch as Washington kept on hunting India wickets, causing a mayhem in New Zealand's camp, eventually limiting the visitors to just 259. Besides, the star all-rounder it was R Ashwin, who took three wickets for India.
