India's Washington Sundar celebrates with his skipper Rohit Sharma (right) and Ravindra Jadeja after dismissing New Zealand's Rachin Ravindra during the first day of the second Test in Pune.Image Credit: AFP

Washington Sundar’s twin strike brings India back into second Test

Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway score half-centuries to take visitors to 201/5

by · Gulf News

Pune: Off-spinner Washington Sundar struck two quick blows before tea interval to bring India back into the contest on day one of the second Test in Pune on Thursday.

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Young New Zealand all-rounder Rachin Ravindra was again threatening to take his team to a big total after reaching his half-century with a dominant show, but Sundar ended his stay when the ball turned slightly away to hit the left-hander’s off-stump. Rachin Ravindra, who had 134 and 39 not out in the previous two innings, was out for 65.

The 25-year-old all-rounder included for this Test vindicated his selection by removing Tom Bundell with another beautiful delivery to leave New Zealand at 201 for five at the stoke of tea with Daryl Mitchell batting on 16.

Earlier another off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin took three wickets, including captain Tom Latham, as New Zealand reached 92-2 at lunch.

Rachin Ravindra celebrates his half-century as Daryl Mitchell watches on.Image Credit: AFP

New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat on a pitch that is expected to keep the spinners in business in Pune.

Ashwin claims three wickets

Devon Conway, on 47, and fellow left-hander Rachin Ravindra, on five, were batting at the break after the vistors lost Latham and Will Young. Conway departed for 76 with Ashwin claiming his third wicket. All five wickets so far have been taken by the off-spinners.

The Black Caps won the opener for their first Test victory in India since 1988 and are looking to clinch the three-match series.

Cautious start

The eight-wicket win in Bengaluru was New Zealand’s third Test victory in India, but they have never won a series in the country.

Latham and fellow left-hander Conway started cautiously, but soon got going with a few boundaries to blunt the opening pace attack of Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep.

Spin was introduced in the eighth over and Ashwin struck on his fifth ball as captain Latham was trapped lbw for 15 to leave New Zealand 32-1.

Conway proved a thorn in India's flesh by giving New Zealand a brisk start in the first innings of the second Test.Image Credit: AFP

Conway then put on 44 runs with Young and the two looked comfortable - before Ashwin struck again, to get Young caught behind for 18.

Initially given not out, India reviewed and technology showed Young got a tickle off the glove while trying to work the ball down the leg-side.

Santner comes in for Matt Henry

New Zealand have bolstered their spin force with left-arm orthodox Mitchell Santner replacing injured fast bowler Matt Henry.

India made three changes from their opening defeat with fit-again batsman Shubman Gill, Deep and Sundar coming into the team.

Sarfaraz Khan kept his place after his 150 in the first Test with struggling batsman KL Rahul making way for Gill, who has recovered from a neck injury.

— With inputs from AFP