New Zealand captain Tom Latham and star batsman Rachin Ravindra were both dismissed by Washington Sundar on Day 1 of the third Test match between India and New Zealand at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium after Sundar delivered two remarkably identical dismissals.
As the game got underway, there were some significant changes on both sides. Mohammed Siraj took the place of India’s bowling virtuoso Jasprit Bumrah, who was absent due to sickness, while the visitors lost Tim Southee and Mitchell Santner. The toss was won by Latham, who chose to bat first.
In the 16th over, Washington Sundar first brilliant moment came when he removed the steady-handed Latham, who had scored 28 runs off 44 deliveries.
Before retaining its line to get past Latham’s defence and clip the off-stump, the delivery swerved around it. Earlier in the day, the dismissal dropped the BlackCaps to 59/2.
Soon after, he dismissed Ravindra for just five runs by producing an identical replica of the previous delivery. Sundar, bowling from around the wickets, pulled Ravindra forward for a defence by releasing
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The ball wide of the crease. In 20 overs, the team was suffering at 72/3 as the ball twisted slightly away and beat the outside edge, dismantling the off-stump once more.
1⃣ Brings 2⃣, they say!
Washington Sundar agrees! ☺️
Live ▶️ https://t.co/KNIvTEy04z#TeamIndia | #INDvNZ | @IDFCFIRSTBank | @Sundarwashi5 pic.twitter.com/Q2DwB61Dj0
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 1, 2024
Even though India lost by 113 runs in the second Test, the Tamil Nadu native is fresh off a stunning 11-wicket haul. In his initial stint, experienced Ravichandran Ashwin went wicketless, but Sundar’s bowling has given India a commanding lead. With Daryl Mitchell (11) and Will Young (38), at the crease, the Kiwis’ score at lunch was 92/3.