India’s dynamic spinner, Washington Sundar, seized the spotlight with a breathtaking resurgence, claiming a remarkable seven wickets against New Zealand during the pulsating 2nd Test match. Summoned to bolster the Indian lineup following a dismal performance in Bengaluru, Washington fully justified the selector’s faith with a stellar display. In an engaging interview right after Day 1, he singled out his prized scalp, Rachin Ravindra, as his personal highlight.
The pivotal moment unfolded in the 60th over, as New Zealand, after opting to bat first in the vibrant city of Pune, indulged in a steady innings. Washington unleashed a delivery that danced tantalizingly on the pitch, pitching snugly between off and middle, only to veer away just enough to shatter Ravindra’s off stump. This vital breakthrough was instrumental in propelling India to dismiss the visitors for a mere 259 runs; indeed, from a promising 197/3, the Kiwis plummeted in dramatic fashion.
“Absolutely Rachin Ravindra. They were establishing a firm foothold. Snaring his wicket on the cusp of Tea was crucial for us, and then capturing Darryl Mitchell’s right after was a further stroke of fortune,” Sundar reflected post-match, clearly reveling in the moment.
Reflecting on the pitch’s grip, he observed, “We genuinely anticipated the ball would spin from the get-go. It certainly did in the first session, though the second session offered less assistance. The moisture faded, but eventually, towards the end, the spin resumed.”
Sundar’s professional journey has been marred by a series of injuries, hindering his career trajectory since his stellar debut during India’s historic Test series triumph in Australia. Rising to stardom in the iconic Gabba Test, he played an instrumental role in clinching victory during the series finale of 2020-21. However, after a solitary appearance against England in Ahmedabad, he found himself sidelined, until now.
Overjoyed by his revival, Sundar expressed heartfelt gratitude during his Day 1 interview, sharing that he had been envisioning this very comeback. “It’s surreal to be living out my dream. I had been envisioning this moment for weeks, specifically targeting this series. The fact that I wasn’t included in the first Test but then called up for this one, securing a spot in the XI—it’s an unbelievable feeling, and I’m tremendously grateful to the coach and captain.”
With candid honesty, he continued, “My aim was to maintain precision, irrespective of the batsman or the match context. But, ultimately, it’s all part of a divine plan. My focus was laser-sharp on consistently hitting those key areas, tweaking my pace a touch, and I’m sincerely thankful for the way things unfolded today.”
