Team India made a decent start to the second Test match in Pune against New Zealand. The decision to go in with three spinners paid off as veteran spinner R. Ashwin picked two wickets before lunch. Sarfaraz Khan played a key role in the wicket of Will Young just as the Kiwis were looking untroubled.
The incident happened in the final ball of the 24th over with Ashwin bowling over the wicket. Ashwin pitched the ball on the leg stump line as the batter tried to glance the ball down to fine leg and Pant gathered the ball. Sarfaraz Khan started to appeal and made his way to skipper Rohit Sharma.
Ashwin Strikes Again!!!
— Sanju (@SanjayBhat46892) October 24, 2024
- Will Young depart after a successful DRS!!
This wicket also goes to Sarfaraz Khan kya convince kiya haii🫡😂#INDvNZ #Ashwin #RohithSharma #RishabhPant pic.twitter.com/9GJZ5wgC0z
India’s skipper though didn’t show any interest in going up for the review. Virat Kohli too joined in and convinced Rohit to opt for the DRS. Once the decision was sent upstairs it was seen that the batter had got a fine edge. This was enough to overturn the decision to give India their 2nd wicket.
Devon Conway braves India’s spin storm before lunch
Tom Latham chose to bat first after winning the toss and made one change. Mitchell Santner came in for Matt Henry who was injured just before the start of the game. The home team made three changes as KL Rahul was dropped along with pacer Mohammed Siraj, and spinner Kuldeep Yadav.
Washington Sundar came in for his first Test match for 3 years along with Shubman Gill who was passed fit. Akash Deep came into the team to replace Mohammed Siraj with the latter struggling to pick wickets.
India’s two seamers bowled 7 overs before Rohit Sharma decided to go in for spin. Ashwin struck in his very first over when he had Tom Latham beaten for pace. The Kiwi skipper didn’t go for the DRS as he knew he was out LBW for 15 off 22 balls.
Will Young joined Devon Conway and the pair added 44 runs for the 2nd wicket. The two batters looked comfortable before Ashwin struck for the 2nd time. At lunch, New Zealand were placed at 92/2 from 31 overs. Devon Conway was batting on 47 with Rachin Ravindra on 5.