Washington Sundar made his comeback to the Test arena for the first time since March 2021 a memorable affair as he spun a web around New Zealand to pick up a seven-wicket haul in the second Test at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune on Thursday, October 24.
The spin-bowling all-rounder was drafted into the squad after the first Test in Bengaluru as the team management wanted another off-spinner against the plethora of left-handed batters in the New Zealand side. When India captain Rohit Sharma announced at the toss that Sundar was replacing Kuldeep Yadav in the playing XI, some experts questioned the call as they felt that the left-arm wrist spinner could have been more handy on the spin-friendly black soil surface in Pune. However, Sundar has won everyone’s hearts with a sensational performance with the ball.
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The first three New Zealand batters fell to Ravichandran Ashwin but the rest of them were bamboozled by Sundar’s relentless accuracy and guile. The Tamil Nadu all-rounder used the conditions to his advantage and targeted the stumps, forcing the batters to play as many deliveries as possible. He opened his account by picking up the important wicket of the in-form Rachin Ravindra and didn’t look back.
He bowled out five batters and dismissed Daryl Mitchell LBW. Glenn Phillips holed out to long-off and that was the only time Sundar needed help from one of his teammates to pick up a wicket. Sundar challenged both the edges of the batters as the turn and bounce he got from the wicket was too hot to handle for the Kiwis.
Also Check: WATCH: Washington Sundar castles Rachin Ravindra with a peach
The 25-year-old took his first five-wicket haul in First-Class cricket since August 2022. This is also his best figures in red-ball cricket as he bowled 23.1 overs and bagged seven wickets for 59 runs. His exhilarating last spell helped India make a strong comeback in the game as they bowled out New Zealand for 259. This was after the tourists reached 197/3 on the back of half-centuries from Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra.
Here’s how ‘X’ users reacted to Washington Sundar’s seven-for on Day 1:
Sundar athi Sundar bowling #WashingtonSundar #IndvsNZ
— Srikanth (me & my parivar) (@JayaHoIndia) October 24, 2024
#INDvNZ #WashingtonSundar
What a spell 7 wickets !!!!
what a Great and Marvellous comeback in Test cricket Congratulations for Maiden Test fifer🤍 pic.twitter.com/QF6DfQhCqz
— Akshata Bhosale (@AkshataBhosale5) October 24, 2024
Washington Sundar made a remarkable return to Test cricket after 45 months, taking 7 wickets for 59 runs in a standout performance. This achievement came after a long absence from the format, as his last Test was in March 2021.#INDvNZ #WashingtonSundar #JioHotstar
Cradit.… pic.twitter.com/EtTpXJW79C
— JITENDRA SINGH (@JITENDRASI47119) October 24, 2024
Washington Sundar marks his return to Test cricket with a stunning SIX-wicket haul, his first in international cricket since March 2021! He dismisses Glenn Phillips and Tim Southee in back-to-back overs to achieve this feat.#INDvNZ #WashingtonSundar
pic.twitter.com/j0XCbtB59i
— Shivam Rajput (@Shivam_rajput3) October 24, 2024
“Washington Sundar” for you 🐐
Bro came after 45 days , and became the match winner today.#WashingtonSundar#Pushpa2TheRuleOnDec5th#JioHotstar pic.twitter.com/UOBBwx5Nku
— Ravish Kumar Singh (@K06609294) October 24, 2024
5 WICKETS BY WASHINGTON SUNDAR.
✅Great spell by Washington Sundar 🔥#INDvNZ #WashingtonSundar #Tejran #Spirit pic.twitter.com/BsrZAnA170
— Sonu (@sonu_tomar07) October 24, 2024
What a Comeback for Washi.. huge respect🙌#WashingtonSundar #INDvsNZL
— Sanskriti Mishra (@imSans04) October 24, 2024
New Rising Star of Cricket
Chennai Boy Washington Sundar takes 7 wickets
Virat Kohli Congratulate him #ViratKohli𓃵 #WashingtonSundar pic.twitter.com/b47Pkbi2hO
— Sandeep Kumar 💟 (@Sundeepkumar21) October 24, 2024
THALA FOR A REASON.
7/59 for Washington Sundar after Playing Test Match in the Gap of 45 Months.
Brave Decision by #Gambhir & #RohitSharma𓃵 to Select #WashingtonSundar .#indvsnzl #INDvsNZ #NZvsIND pic.twitter.com/Pmp7hR9LfU
— DHARIYA BHARDWAJ (@dhairyakumar) October 24, 2024