On an eventful first morning of the third Test match between India and New Zealand at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, Washington Sundar demonstrated his bowling prowess to keep India in line with their formidable opponents. His incisive spell of spin bowling, resulting in figures of 2-26, proved vital in pegging back New Zealand after a steady opening partnership.
New Zealand, after electing to bat first, faced an early setback losing Devon Conway quickly. The initial breakthrough for India came within the first 30 minutes of play when Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep took charge with the new ball. With Jasprit Bumrah unavailable due to illness, the pressure was on this new ball pair to set the stage for India’s bowling attack. Akash Deep, finding just enough movement off the pitch due to the early morning moisture, delivered a probing spell that eventually trapped Conway LBW, marking the first dismissal of the match. This early wicket caused a ripple of excitement in the Indian camp.
Despite early challenges, New Zealand showed resilience through the competent partnership of Tom Latham and Will Young. The duo appeared comfortable and consolidated their innings, constructing a 44-run stand for the second wicket. They not only negotiated the seamers effectively but also seemed at ease against India’s premier spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin, who wasn’t able to extract much spin initially.
The game took a notable turn with the introduction of Washington Sundar into the attack. Known for his ability to conjure drift and accuracy, Sundar immediately troubled the batsmen. He commanded the moment, delivering a captivating spell that put the visitors on the back foot. The key breakthrough came when Sundar’s enticing delivery resulted in Latham misjudging the line, leading to the wicket as his stumps were disturbed. This wicket was a significant relief for the Indian side as they were searching for the next breakthrough after Conway’s departure.
Sundar, continuing with his incisive bowling, struck once more to remove Rachin Ravindra.
. The ball, a carbon copy of the one to Latham, left Ravindra baffled by Sundar’s drift which caused a slight straightening off the pitch to catch him off guard. This dismissal highlighted Sundar’s impact, as he swiftly claimed two crucial wickets to disrupt New Zealand’s momentum.
Will Young managed to solidify his position at the crease, working alongside Daryl Mitchell. Together, they ensured that New Zealand did not suffer any further damage during the initial session. Young, remaining unbeaten on 38, provided the anchor for New Zealand’s innings with valuable support from Mitchell.
The opening session witnessed differing fortunes for both teams, with Indian spinners starting slower than expected due to the unresponsive surface. However, Sundar’s deliveries gained sharpness as the morning unfolded, favoring spin. Anticipating further turn and grip from the pitch, the second session posed a considerable challenge for the visiting side. The notable rip seen from a few deliveries of Ravindra Jadeja suggested that India’s spin quartet could make life even tougher for New Zealand as the match progressed.
With New Zealand recording 92/3 at the break, they face a tactical conundrum. The commendable efforts of Young are significant, but the support from the middle order will determine if New Zealand can maintain a competitive edge. On the other hand, India will be looking to assert more pressure through their spin attack, hoping to exploit any weakness in the visiting line-up.
Brief scores at lunch read: New Zealand 92/3, with Will Young standing tall at 38* and Washington Sundar claiming the spotlight with figures of 2-26. As cricket enthusiasts delve into an intriguing Test match, both teams are poised on the brink of a potentially captivating contest. With conditions likely to become trickier for batting, India aims to sustain pressure on the visitors, while New Zealand will look to establish a commanding score to challenge India on home soil.