Pune, India

Washington Sundar repaid the faith of the Indian selectors on Thursday (Oct 24) by picking seven wickets in the first innings of New Zealand in the second Test match. Washington, who came into the side replacing Kuldeep Yadav, showed his class with the ball while playing at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune. His seven wickets also meant New Zealand were bowled out for 259 in the final session on Day 1.

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Washington makes a statement return

Having represented Tamil Nadu at the start of the week in the Ranji Trophy, Washington was called into the Indian team as a late addition. He replaced Kuldeep Yadav with many raising eyebrows over the selection. However, the decision paid off for the Indian team as he scalped seven wickets in the first innings. His off-spin was the highlight reel on a spin-friendly track for Rohit Sharma and Co.

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During his spell, he broke the important partnership between Rachin Ravindra (65) and Devon Conway (76) and wrapped the entire New Zealand tail. From 197/3, New Zealand were bowled out for 259 runs, losing seven wickets in 62 runs.

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On the other hand, Ravichandran Ashwin was also in the pick of things as he bagged three wickets, meaning all New Zealand wickets were picked by spinners. While Washington had figures of 59/7, Ashwin ended with 64/3. Ashwin also surpassed Nathan Lyon for most Test wickets and now has 531 scalps in the red-ball format.

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At Stumps on Day 1, India were 16/1 in four overs and lost skipper Rohit Sharma for a duck. This was also Rohit’s 34th international duck, taking him level with Sachin Tendulkar in the unwanted tally’s list. Yashasvi Jaiswal (6) and Shubman Gill (10) are in the middle for India and will look for a big score on Day 2. In the big picture, India must win the Pune Test to avoid the first Test series defeat on home turf in over a decade. India last lost a Test series on home turf in 2013 against England and have since been impeccable.