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‘Very Very Special’- Washington Sundar Memorable Test Return vs New Zealand

Aakash Saini

Washington Sundar celebrating a wicket with captain Rohit Sharma [Source: @BCCI/x]Washington Sundar celebrating a wicket with captain Rohit Sharma [Source: @BCCI/x]

Washington Sundar celebrated his return to India’s Test set-up with a scintillating seven-wicket haul against New Zealand at the MCA Stadium in Pune. After going wicketless in his first 13 overs, Sundar picked up each of his seven wickets in a space of just 61 deliveries while bowling in tandem with Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja to skittle New Zealand for just 259 on Day 1.

After the opening day of action in Pune, the 25-year-old reflected on his performance and claimed that he always believed he would be making his return to Test cricket at some point.

Washington Sundar reflects on ‘unreal feeling’

In a video posted by the BCCI after Day 1 of the Pune Test between India and New Zealand, Washington Sundar expressed his gratitude on making a return to the Test squad.

The off-spinner also added that he knew he would be getting a call back to the Indian team at some point. He said:

“I believed I would be getting a call, no matter when. Whenever you get a call to join the Test squad, it is going to be special. When you think about something, wish for something and it happens, it is an unreal feeling. I am grateful to be able to experience those feelings and be back to the Test squad. A seven-for, very very special.”

Washington Sundar credited his Ranji Trophy 2024 performance for Tamil Nadu last week for making his return to India’s Test XI after a gap of more than three-and-a-half years. In the match against Delhi earlier this month, Sundar pounded 152 runs with the bat and also picked up six wickets across both innings.

“I have played the Tamil Nadu-Delhi game. It went very well for me. It was a perfect set-up for me to get to this game. The confidence was high and I had hit my best rhythm with both bat and ball.”

Washington Sundar bowled 23.1 overs to pick his seven wickets at an expense of just 59 runs to claim his career-best figures in Tests. Some of his prized scalps included that of Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips.

Ravichandran Ashwin picked up the remaining three wickets as the two off-spinners collectively dismantled New Zealand for just 259 on Day 1 of the Pune Test.