Last Updated on 1 month by Charbel Coorey
Washington Sundar has justified his selection in the second Test against New Zealand, taking 7/59 on day one at Pune. He became the first Indian bowler to take a five-wicket haul on this ground in Tests.
Before the start of play, there was quite a bit of criticism towards the Indian team management as to why Washington was picked when Kuldeep Yadav provides a point of difference. Axar Patel, who has batted so well down the order in recent years, was also an option.
However, the hosts opted for Sundar, who then had the ball on a string to spark a New Zealand collapse from 197/3 to 259. It was a beautiful display of offspin bowling, bamboozling the Black Caps batsmen with both deliveries that spun and went straight on. He dismissed the talented Rachin Ravindra with a peach that beat his outside edge, and then beat the inside edges of right-handers Tom Blundell and Daryl Mitchell.
Sundar completed his haul by dismissing Glenn Phillips, Tim Southee, Mitchell Santner and Ajaz Patel. In fact, Sundar took the remaining seven wickets to fall after R Ashwin took the first three in a day to remember for the offspinners.
Washington Sundar takes 7/59: Decision to play all-rounder pays off early
Washington Sundar’s first Test in over three years could not have gone any better. He not only had great revs on the ball, but his control was immaculate, bringing both the inside and outside edges into play.
Here are some of the reactions in praise for both Washington Sundar and the Indian team management following his figures of 7/59.
India lost Rohit Sharma for a duck early in the reply, courtesy of a Tim Southee peach. The Kiwi spinners had the ball turning late on day one, so a first innings lead will be vital for India.
