Washington Sundar made a sensational impact on the third Test match against New Zealand in Mumbai, claiming the pivotal wickets of Tom Latham and Rachin Ravindra with outstanding deliveries on Day 1. His spell not only showcased his exceptional bowling prowess but also highlighted India’s strategic advantage in the match. At lunch, New Zealand found themselves in a precarious position, sitting at 92 for 3 after 27 overs, with Will Young unbeaten on 38 and Daryl Mitchell at the crease with 11 runs.
The wicket of Tom Latham: Washington Sundar’s magical delivery
Sundar first delivered a stunning breakthrough by dismissing Tom Latham, one of New Zealand’s key batter. The ball was bowled full and pitched around off stump, enticing Latham to come forward to defend. As the ball landed, it exhibited subtle straightening, a hallmark of Sundar’s skillful bowling. Latham, anticipating the delivery, aimed to block it, but the ball cleverly deviated past his outside edge, resulting in a dramatic kiss on the outer half of the off stump. This dismissal came at a crucial juncture when New Zealand was 59 for 2, placing pressure on the batting side. Latham’s innings ended at 28 runs off 44 balls, which included three boundaries.
Here’s the video:
Washington bowls a jaffa to castle Latham 🤌
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The wicket of Rachin Ravindra: Sundar’s unplayable ball
Sundar continued to assert his dominance by claiming the wicket of Rachin Ravindra, who had been the standout performer in the series. The delivery was a full ball pitched around off stump, aiming to draw Ravindra into a defensive stroke. The key moment came when the ball, upon pitching, turned slightly away from the batter, creating an opening in Ravindra’s defense. Eager to play a defensive shot, Ravindra misjudged the line, allowing the ball to sneak past his bat and clip the off stump, ending his innings at a mere 5 runs. This wicket fell when New Zealand was positioned at 72 for 3, intensifying the pressure on their batting order. Ravindra’s dismissal was particularly significant given his reputation as the series’ highest run-scorer, marking a vital moment for India.
Here’s the video:
1⃣ Brings 2⃣, they say!
Washington Sundar agrees! ☺️
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Also READ: IND vs NZ: Here’s why Jasprit Bumrah and Mitchell Santner not playing the third Test in Mumbai
Early breakthrough by Akash Deep for India
The match unfolded dramatically as New Zealand’s captain, Latham, won the toss and opted to bat first, hoping to set a challenging target on a pitch that promised assistance to bowlers. India, meanwhile, made a notable change to their lineup, resting Jasprit Bumrah and bringing in Mohammed Siraj to strengthen their attack.
India’s innings commenced with a burst of energy from Akash Deep, who quickly set the tone for the day. He trapped Devon Conway in front of the stumps with a sharp nip-backer, sending the opener back to the pavilion for a mere 4 runs. This early breakthrough put New Zealand on the back foot, creating pressure that would carry into the rest of the innings. The loss of Conway meant that captain Latham had to regroup with Young, as they sought to stabilize the innings and build a foundation for their team’s total.
Latham and Will Young forge a partnership for New Zealand
As the innings progressed, Latham and Young formed a resilient partnership, helping New Zealand recover from the initial setback. Together, they navigated through a challenging phase, steadily pushing the score past the 50-run mark. Their efforts were critical in restoring some confidence within the batting lineup. However, Sundar, displaying exceptional skill and precision, disrupted their progress by delivering crucial two-wickets spell before the lunch.