 "Washington Sundar on 'unbelievable' comeback to Test cricket and favourite dismissal: 'It was God's plan'")
Washington Sundar struggled to explain his sensational comeback to the Indian Test team as he took seven wickets on Day 1 of the second India vs New Zealand Test at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune on Thursday. Sundar was not a part of the squad initially but was added after India lost the first Test by eight wickets in Bengaluru to go 1-0 down in the three-match series. The ongoing match in Pune is Sundar’s first Test since 2021.
He was picked ahead of Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel and repaid the faith shown in him by returning bowling figures of 7/59 as New Zealand were bowled out for 259. India were 16/1 at Stumps. having lost Rohit Sharma and trail by 243 runs.
LIVE | India vs New Zealand, 2nd Test in Pune, Day 2
“The way it came through, fact that I wasn’t part of the first Test and I was called for this particular Test and given the opportunity to play in the XI, I was really grateful to the coach and captain. Unbelievable feeling,” Sundar said after Day 1 in Pune.
Sundar’s bowling plans
Dissecting his bowling plans, Sundar said that he planned to be consistent with his line and length and things fell in place for him,
Impact Shorts
More Shorts“I wanted to be very accurate no matter what situation I was bowling or which batsman I was coming across. It was God’s plan, just came through really well. I just focused to hit the particular areas, changed my pace here and there, just really grateful.”
Washington has been quite consistent in domestic cricket with 65 wickets in 31 First-Class matches but has rarely been in contention for the Test team. However, it can all change after his seven-wicket haul.
“That has always been a self-talk for me because I have always wanted to figure out things that would help me to get better, help me to keep evolving as a cricketer.
“That is the only thing I have been focusing on in the last few years and I am really grateful to (the) god for me to be able to experience these kinds of situations,” he said.
Read: How Washington Sundar dismantled New Zealand on his Test return after three years
Washington Sundar was also delighted that he shared the field with veteran spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja and hopes to play more matches alongside them.
Ashwin’s help and favourite wicket
“We communicated a lot and they brought in a lot of qualities, skill sets and experience. That really helps for someone who is playing along with them,” he said.
“It definitely helped me today and it is special to be playing in the game in which both of them are part of as well. I hope we will get to play a lot more games together,” he added.
T. I. M. B. E. R! 🎯
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 24, 2024
Cracker of a ball! 👌 👌
Washington Sundar with a breakthrough 🙌 🙌
Live ▶️ https://t.co/YVjSnKCtlI #TeamIndia | #INDvNZ | @Sundarwashi5 | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/OC8VS7fnwT
Asked to pick his favourite dismissal from the day, Sundar was confused between Rachin Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell’s wickets.
“Unfair for me to choose one. Certainly Rachin Ravindra because he was batting well. Daryl Mitchell’s wicket as well was game changer.”
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