India vs New Zealand 2nd Test: Ashwin strikes twice as New Zealand reach 92/2 at lunch on Day 1

At lunch on Day 1 of the second Test in Pune, New Zealand are 92/2 after 31 overs. The early part of the session saw India’s pacers replaced quickly after just 7 overs on a slow pitch, as spin dominated the rest of the session. Ravichandran Ashwin was the standout bowler, picking up two crucial wickets.

Ashwin first dismissed Tom Latham with a beauty that pitched on leg stump and sharply turned from around the wicket, crashing into the off stump. He then followed it up by sending Will Young back to the pavilion, caught down the leg-side by Rishabh Pant after India successfully reviewed the decision.

New Zealand’s Devon Conway has remained steady on 47 off 108 balls, though he has not been completely at ease, surviving several testing deliveries. Rachin Ravindra, batting alongside him on 5 from 13 balls, has also experienced a few nervy moments.

India’s spinners, operating at quicker speeds in the mid-90 km/h range, have found turn and grip to keep the New Zealand batters under pressure.