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Washington Sundar's stellar seven-fer on Thursday, October 24, justified Indian team's decision to include him in the playing XI for the second Test against New Zealand. The off-spinner claimed a Test career-best 7/59, dismantling the New Zealand batting lineup and putting India in a strong position, just when Rohit Sharma's brigade needed him the most.
Playing at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune, Sundar's impressive bowling spell restricted New Zealand to a total of 259 runs on the first day. India's head coach Gautam Gambhir's beaming smile, as Washington Sundar led the Indian team back to the dressing room after his career-best 7/59, spoke volumes about the team's joy and pride in the off-spinner's outstanding performance. Notably, several former Indian cricketers, including Sunil Gavaskar, Aakash Chopra, Parthiv Patel, and Pragyan Ojha, expressed their disappointment with the team management's decision to select Sundar over Kuldeep Yadav for the second Test against New Zealand. They questioned the rationale behind the selection, considering Kuldeep's proven track record as a wicket-taking bowler. But Sundar proved Gambhir's decision right with his sensational spin artistry. At the close of Day 1, Sundar gave a special mention to his coach Gambhir and captain Rohit Sharma and credited them for the opportunity.
"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 at the post-day conversation with the broadcasters.
Washington Sundar's seven-wicket haul against New Zealand in the second Test was a historic achievement. It marked the best bowling figures by an Indian bowler against the Kiwis in the World Test Championship era. No other Indian bowler had previously claimed seven wickets against New Zealand in a single WTC Test match.
Sundar's crucial breakthrough came when he dismissed Rachin Ravindra (65), breaking a crucial partnership with Devon Conway (76). He then proceeded to dismantle the New Zealand tail, taking the last seven wickets for just 62 runs.
Ravichandran Ashwin also played a vital role, contributing with three wickets. This performance allowed Ashwin to surpass Nathan Lyon as the seventh-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket history. The combined efforts of Sundar and Ashwin, both spinners, highlighted the dominance of spin bowling in the match.
"[What changed after the first session] I wanted to be very accurate no matter what situation I was bowling or which batsman I was coming 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. [Pitch] We genuinely felt it will start spinning from day one. It did spin in the first session but don't think it did a lot in the second. The pitch settled down from the third session, but eventually it did spin. [Fav wicket] Unfair for me to choose one. Certainly Rachin Ravindra because he was batting well. Daryl Mitchell's wicket as well was game changer," India's star all-rounder concluded.
