In a gripping start to the second Test match against India in Pune, Devon Conway demonstrated resilience and skill, leading New Zealand to a stable position with an unbeaten 47 at the end of the opening session. The tourists went into lunch at 92 for 2, opting for a controlled yet effective strategy amid early challenges posed by the hosts.
New Zealand, winning the crucial toss, chose to bat first. They made a forced change to their squad, with Matt Henry being sidelined due to a glute injury, ushering in Mitchell Santner as his replacement. India made some strategic shuffle in their lineup too, introducing Washington Sundar, Shubman Gill, and Akash Deep in place of Kuldeep Yadav, KL Rahul, and Mohammed Siraj.
The pitch offered India an opportunity to exploit spin early, as was evident right from the eighth over. R Ashwin, a seasoned campaigner in exploiting spinning conditions, made an immediate impact. The trajectory and turn of his deliveries proved too challenging for Tom Latham, who was trapped leg before wicket, a remarkable feat which underscored Ashwin’s proficiency on Indian pitches.
Washington Sundar then joined the attack alongside Ashwin. Despite offering some turn and bounce, both spinners largely prioritized maintaining a brisk pace of early to mid-90 kmph, cleverly utilizing variations to rattle the batters. The New Zealand batsmen, however, acclimatized well, managing to score through gaps with precision even as India’s spinners intermittently beat their edges.
Throughout the session, Devon Conway remained the lynchpin of New Zealand’s innings. His composed demeanor at the crease was integral to ensuring that the scoreboard ticked along.
. Conway’s approach was measured, steering clear of unnecessary risks while capitalizing on any laxity in the bowlers’ line and length. His partnership with Will Young initially looked promising until Young fell against the tide of the game, gloving a delivery sliding down the leg to the keeper. The decision turned in India’s favor only after a successful review, indicative of the competitive spirit exemplified by both teams.
Rachin Ravindra, who came in after Young’s departure, faced immediate pressure, with Ravindra Jadeja posing probing questions. An LBW appeal against Ravindra, followed by India’s unsuccessful review, added layers of tension to the contest. While Jadeja consistently tested both left-handers’ defenses, his efforts remained unfulfilled as the first session concluded without further breakthroughs.
Conway’s gritty innings, marked by an array of well-timed shots and an astute circumspection against spin, saw him remain not out at the interval, holding the key to New Zealand’s prospects in the remainder of the game. His performance underscored the importance of patient application in test cricket, particularly on subcontinental surfaces where spin often dictates the narrative.
In summary, going into the lunch break, New Zealand found themselves in a relatively stable position largely thanks to Conway’s effort. The pitch was beginning to show signs of wear, potentially foreshadowing a pivotal role for spinners as the match progresses. However, New Zealand’s strategy of cautious accumulation enabled them to navigate Indian conditions treacherous for any team not acclimatized to them, setting up an intriguing contest for the remaining sessions.
Brief Scores: New Zealand 92/2 (Devon Conway 47*; R Ashwin 2-33) vs India.