An annan-thambi combo seems to have got India back in business in the Test series against New Zealand. Off spinners Washington Sundar and his Tamil Nadu senior Ravichandran Ashwin bagged all wickets, with the youngster bagging a career-best of 7/59 as New Zealand were bundled out for 259 on Day one.
After losing the first Test in Bengaluru on a pacy surface, India had hoped to capitalise on spin-friendly surface in Pune and they did just that after losing the toss. Sundar bowled with guile and control to steal the show while Ashwin claimed 3/64. For the visitors, Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra made 76 and 65 respectively. The visitors were 201/5 at tea.
During the Bengaluru Test, it had baffled many to see Ashwin turn up as a fifth bowler in the fourth innings as New Zealand chased down a little over 100 runs to beat India. His poor showing in the first innings, where he managed just one wicket and bowled at an economy of nearly 6, didn't help his cause either.
Things have changed in Pune, where on a rank turner, Rohit Sharma's most lethal spin weapon has got into act from the off and has made the difference. Ashwin bagged three wickets -- Tom Latham, Will Young and Devon Conway. Latham had won the toss, but it turned out to be the wrong decision, at least for him personally, when he faced Ashwin's first over that came at the first instance of a bowling change at the end of over 7.
Ashwin forced the Kiwi skipper to play across a line, but it turned away and found the left-hander trapped leg before. His second wicket needed some convincing from Sarfaraz at short leg, who seemed to have heard Young nick it, again playing across to one floated down leg. Rohit reviewed it, and the 'caught behind' was approved. In his first spell itself, Ashwin made himself useful to India's cause after an average display in the first Test.
