India’s Washington Sundar delivered a career-best performance, taking seven wickets for 59 runs to help dismiss New Zealand for 259 on the opening day of the second test in Pune.
Sundar’s spin partner, Ravichandran Ashwin, claimed 3-64, with both bowlers exploiting the spin-friendly conditions.
New Zealand had been in a strong position at 197-3, with Devon Conway scoring 76 and Rachin Ravindra contributing 65, before Sundar dismantled their middle and lower order.
Ravindra and Tom Blundell fell in a crucial 10-minute spell before tea, which shifted momentum in India’s favor. Despite losing captain Rohit Sharma for a duck, India ended the day at 16-1, with Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal unbeaten at the crease.
New Zealand captain Tom Latham and Conway made a solid start, handling India’s fast bowlers before Ashwin and Sundar’s introduction turned the game.
Ashwin trapped Latham early, and Sundar made an immediate impact, justifying his selection after India’s defeat in the first test. Conway continued his fine form, reaching his third fifty in four innings before falling to Ashwin.
New Zealand’s collapse in the face of Sundar’s “unplayable deliveries” left India in a commanding position as they seek to level the series after losing the first test in Bengaluru.
