Washington Sundar was Added to India’s Test Squad for the New Zealand Series
Washington Sundar, who recently scored a century for Tamil Nadu in the ongoing Ranji Trophy match against Delhi, has been included in India’s Test squad for the second and third matches against New Zealand. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced Washington as the 16th member of the squad, without making any other changes.
Recent Achievements
In Tamil Nadu’s first innings against Delhi, Washington batted at No. 3 and scored a commanding 152, marking his second first-class century. This performance highlighted his ability as a top-order batter, a role he embraced after the team management promoted him to the batting order. “I consider myself a top-order batter,” Washington stated, underlining his readiness to take on new challenges.
Washington’s Test Career
Washington Sundar last played Test cricket in March 2021. Since then, he has been a regular part of India’s white-ball squads but has faced interruptions in his career due to injuries. During the 2020-21 season, he made an impactful debut, scoring 265 runs at an average of 66.25 and taking six wickets. Notably, he contributed significantly to India’s historic victory at the Gabba in January 2021, where he picked up three key wickets and added crucial runs with the bat.
India’s Selection Strategy
India’s decision to include Washington may be driven by concerns over the fitness of key players. Shubman Gill, India’s first-choice No. 3, missed the first Test due to a stiff neck. Additionally, Rishabh Pant, who scored 99 in the second innings of the Bengaluru Test, did not keep wickets after sustaining a knee injury. These issues could pave the way for Washington to feature as a top-order batter or a spin-bowling allrounder.
The inclusion of Washington also adds depth to India’s all-rounder options, which currently include Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav. In the first Test, India fielded three frontline spinners – Jadeja, Ashwin, and Kuldeep – with Axar Patel as a reserve. Washington’s versatility might provide the team with additional flexibility.
Upcoming Fixtures
The second Test of the series will begin on October 24 in Pune, followed by the final Test in Mumbai starting on November 1. New Zealand’s victory in the first Test in Bengaluru marked their first Test win on Indian soil since 1988, adding extra significance to the upcoming matches.
India Squad for the Second and Third Tests:
- Rohit Sharma (captain)
- Jasprit Bumrah (vice-captain)
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Shubman Gill
- Virat Kohli
- KL Rahul
- Sarfaraz Khan
- Rishabh Pant (wk)
- Dhruv Jurel (wk)
- Ravichandran Ashwin
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Axar Patel
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Mohammed Siraj
- Akash Deep
- Washington Sundar
Washington’s inclusion reaffirms his potential as a long-term prospect for India in all formats. As he looks to make a mark in the upcoming Tests, his recent performances and versatility offer India valuable options to tackle New Zealand in the crucial matches ahead
