Ravichandran Ashwin, India’s premier spinner, delivered a crucial early breakthrough for the hosts in the second Test against New Zealand at the MCA Stadium in Pune. Ashwin dismissed New Zealand captain Tom Latham in his fifth delivery, setting the tone for India’s bowling attack.
Bowling with his customary precision, Ashwin pitched the ball on leg stump, inducing a sharp turn after landing. Latham attempted to defend the ball into the leg side but was caught plumb in front of the stumps. The umpire had no hesitation in raising his finger for the lbw decision.
Latham, who had scored 15 runs off 22 balls with two boundaries, opted not to review the decision, marking the first wicket of the day. This dismissal highlighted Ashwin’s ongoing dominance against Latham. In their previous encounters, Ashwin has dismissed Latham nine times in 11 innings, maintaining a remarkable average of 14.22.
Ashwin continued his brilliant spell by dismissing Will Young, caught behind by Rishabh Pant, further tightening India’s grip on the match. With this wicket, Ashwin not only gave India their second breakthrough but also became the leading wicket-taker in the World Test Championship (WTC) history.
New Zealand won the toss and opted to bat first, setting the stage for a challenging morning session for their batsmen. With Ashwin leading the charge, India looked to build on this early success and apply pressure on the New Zealand batting lineup.
Ashwin’s early wickets were a testament to his exceptional skills and experience on Indian pitches. His ability to generate sharp turn and deceive batsmen with his variations makes him a formidable force in home conditions.
India will be hoping that Ashwin can continue his impressive form throughout the match and help them secure a crucial victory in the second Test. With the series level at 0-0, both teams will be eager to gain an advantage in the race for the World Test Championship final.
