In the second Test match against New Zealand at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune, India captain Rohit Sharma had a difficult day at bat. The 37-year-old had a great opportunity to set an example, particularly following a loss in the first Test match in Bengaluru, but the seasoned batter failed to get going and left for a duck.
He appeared to be in a bit of a bind as Tim Southee’s swing troubled him, and in the third over of the game, the former New Zealand captain finally got the better of him.
The captain was struck off-stump because he did not read the line and length. With a pale face, Rohit walked back, disappointed in his effort.
India, on the other hand, ended the day with 16/1. The second day will be crucial for the hosts, who are currently behind by 243 runs, as India will be keen to get ahead and put pressure on New Zealand, particularly given their current series deficit.
Rohit sharma out pic.twitter.com/7oMHwnNdtJ
— Virat (@chiku_187) October 24, 2024
In the meantime, New Zealand had a firm grip on the second Test until Washington Sundar caused chaos on Day 1 near the end of the second session and the start of the third. In the first innings, the Kiwis were reduced to 259 runs by the off-spinner, who claimed seven wickets.
Early on, veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin removed Devon Conway, Will Young, and Tom Latham, and then it was all Sundar. Sundar’s line was difficult for the Kiwi batters to read, and they were losing wickets like a house of cards. Interestingly, Sundar was not part of India’s red-ball cricket plan; he had not played since 2021.
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However, he looked very good when he returned, and he might as well go to Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which starts in less than a month.