The second Test at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune on Thursday, October 24, saw Washington Sundar spin a web around New Zealand to take seven wickets, making his first appearance in the Test arena since March 2021 an unforgettable experience.
The team management wanted another off-spinner to counter the abundance of left-handed batsmen in the New Zealand team, so they draughted the spin-bowling all-rounder into the squad following the first Test in Bengaluru. Some experts questioned India captain Rohit Sharma’s decision to replace Kuldeep Yadav in the playing XI with Sundar at the toss, believing the left-arm wrist spinner would have been more useful on Pune’s spin-friendly black soil surface. But with his amazing ball performance, Sundar has captured everyone’s hearts.
The remaining New Zealand batters were duped by Sundar’s unrelenting accuracy and cunning, but Ravichandran Ashwin dismissed the first three. By focussing on the stumps and taking advantage of the conditions, the Tamil Nadu all-rounder made the batters play as many deliveries as they could. After taking the crucial wicket of the highly effective Rachin Ravindra to start his account, he didn’t turn around.
He got rid of Daryl Mitchell LBW and bowled out five batters. Only when Glenn Phillips holed out to long-off did Sundar require assistance from a teammate to take a wicket. The Kiwis couldn’t handle the turn and bounce that Sundar received from the wicket, so he challenged both of the batters’ edges.
Since August 2022, the 25-year-old has not claimed five wickets in First-Class cricket. He bowled 23.1 overs and took seven wickets for 59 runs, which is also one of his best red-ball cricketing numbers. As India bowled out New Zealand for 259 thanks to his thrilling final spell,
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they made a significant comeback in the match. The tourists had already reached 197/3 thanks to half-centuries from Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway.
Here’s how ‘X’ users reacted to Washington Sundar’s seven-for on Day 1:
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
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
What a Comeback for Washi.. huge respect🙌#WashingtonSundar #INDvsNZL
— Sanskriti Mishra (@imSans04) 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
“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
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
— Shivam Rajput (@Shivam_rajput3) 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
#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
Sundar athi Sundar bowling #WashingtonSundar #IndvsNZ
— Srikanth (me & my parivar) (@JayaHoIndia) October 24, 2024