IND vs NZ Test series: Washington Sundar, who scored a century for Tamil Nadu in the Ranji Trophy recently, has been added to the Test squad for Indian matches against New Zealand. It has been a long time since he last played Test cricket.
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— BCCI (@BCCI) October 20, 2024
Squad Update: Washington Sundar added to squad for the second and third Test#INDvNZ | @IDFCFIRSTBank
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Selection Information
The BCCI has included Washington as the 16th man in the Test side without any changes in the side. New Zealand won by eight wickets in the first Test at Bengaluru. This has been New Zealand’s first Test win against India since 1988. The second Test is on October 24 in Pune, while the third and final Test is in Mumbai on November 1.
Washington’s Previous Matches
Although he has been a regular member of the Indian white-ball team over the last year, Washington was last seen playing Test cricket in March 2021. He was summoned for this Test series as a cover for Ravindra Jadeja, who suffered an injury during the just-concluded home Test series against England. A long-term prospect as a spin-bowling allrounder, Washington has so far played four Test matches, all during the 2020-21 season. He has scored 265 runs with three half-centuries at a hefty average of 66.25 and has also taken six wickets off his off-spin.
Washington’s participation was significant during the historic India win in Gabba in January 2021, where he could take three wickets and give useful runs.
Also Read: IND vs NZ, 1st Test: What Did Tom Latham Say On New Zealand’s Historic Win Over India?
Recent Form And Role
Washington batted at No. 3 against Delhi in the Ranji Trophy match, aggregating 152 runs, for the second time in a first-class game. He said that he considers himself more of a top-order batter, which had him more than prepared for the role.
Interesting how India has chosen Washington and what role he plays in the Tests against New Zealand is something that is to be seen, but in the first Test, three frontline spinners were used: Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, and Kuldeep Yadav, with Axar Patel as a reserve option. Washington might be selected primarily for top-order cover, especially with Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant indeed under the scanner for their fitness.
Injury Concerns
Shubman Gill was absent from the first Test with a stiff neck. Though Rishabh Pant did score 99 in the second innings, he couldn’t keep wickets for much of the game as he had a bruised knee. Pant has undergone surgeries on both knees after a near-death car accident in December 2022. Captain Rohit Sharma said there is much caution regarding Pant’s fitness-cum-place keeping.
Also Read: Mohammed Shami Aims For Comeback After Ankle Injury
