In a gripping day's play at Pune, New Zealand's decision to bat first on a turning track seemed to hold promise early on, but India clawed their way back into the contest thanks to Washington Sundar’s magical spell. The Black Caps, led by Tom Latham, started on the front foot with solid contributions from their top five batters. Devon Conway (76) and Rachin Ravindra (65) played pivotal roles, building crucial partnerships of 62 and 59 runs, respectively, with the likes of Will Young and Daryl Mitchell chipping in. The visitors appeared in control with two fifty-plus stands, and India had to be patient during these passages of play.

However, the match turned sharply in India's favor after Tea when Washington Sundar was reintroduced into the attack. Ravichandran Ashwin (3/64) had already done the early damage, surpassing Nathan Lyon on the all-time wicket-takers list with three crucial strikes. But it was Sundar's brilliance that dismantled the Kiwis' middle and lower order. Sundar’s career-best figures of 7/59 stunned New Zealand, who went from a promising position to being bowled out for 259 in just 79.1 overs. His relentless off-spin left the visitors clueless, as the Tamil Nadu spinner ripped through the lineup, ensuring that India ended the day in a balanced position despite New Zealand's early control.

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Washington Sundar's Wickets contact points 

Washington Sundar delivered a stellar performance in the Test match against New Zealand, marking his return to the longest format of the game with a memorable 10-wicket haul. His spell not only highlighted his skill but also showcased his tactical brilliance on a pitch that favored turn. After a patient start by the New Zealand batters, Sundar unleashed a flurry of deliveries that left them clueless. His combination of sharp turn and precise lengths made it difficult for the visitors to settle, despite their promising start.

New Zealand, having won the toss and opted to bat on a turning track, looked comfortable initially with Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra contributing half-centuries. The two built partnerships that kept the Kiwis in a strong position. However, as soon as Washington Sundar was brought into the attack, things shifted dramatically. His relentless pressure, combined with Ravichandran Ashwin's early strikes, set up the perfect stage for Sundar to run through the middle and lower order of New Zealand.

Sundar's 10-wicket haul, highlighted by his ability to exploit the conditions perfectly, saw him claim wickets through a mix of bowled, caught, and LBW dismissals. As the image analysis shows, his wickets came from a variety of deliveries, each targeting different parts of the stumps and around the crease. His precision in dismissing the batters reflected his mastery of line and length. The variation in his deliveries—whether turning away or sliding through—was key to confusing the New Zealand batters.

The graphic further underlines how Sundar's accuracy paid off. The contact points of the dismissals show that Sundar was able to consistently target the stumps, forcing mistakes and either bowling batters or trapping them leg-before-wicket. His control over his deliveries ensured that New Zealand’s lower order had no answer to his spin, and they crumbled in quick succession after appearing well set earlier in the day.

This performance by Sundar marks not just a personal milestone with career-best figures but also highlights his growing stature in India’s Test setup. His ability to control the game in crucial moments, especially on turning tracks, could make him an indispensable asset in future home series. For now, this match will be remembered as the one where Sundar made a statement, announcing his return in the grandest fashion.

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