Indian spin-bowling all-rounder Washington Sundar made an unforgettable return to Test cricket with a spectacular seven-wicket haul against New Zealand in the second Test at Pune's Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium. Coming in as a replacement for Kuldeep Yadav, Sundar’s inclusion sparked discussions, especially as India made three changes to their lineup for the Pune Test. However, Sundar quickly silenced any doubts, delivering a match-defining performance that marked his maiden five-wicket haul in Test cricket.
Sundar's incredible figures of 7 for 59 were instrumental in dismissing New Zealand for 259 in their first innings. Teaming up with his senior Tamil Nadu teammate Ravichandran Ashwin, who claimed the first three Kiwi wickets, Sundar took charge of the remaining seven, including the prized wicket of the in-form Rachin Ravindra. His performance gave India a slight upper hand in a closely contested match.
In a post-match interview with the BCCI, Sundar expressed his delight, describing the moment as an "unreal feeling" that he had envisioned for a long time. “I always believed the call would come, no matter when. Joining the Test squad is special every time,” Sundar said. “When you think about something, wish for it, and it happens, it’s an indescribable feeling. I’m grateful to be back in the Test team. A seven-for, it’s very, very special.”
Sundar credited his recent success to his strong domestic performance, particularly his Ranji Trophy match against Delhi, where he hit peak form with both bat and ball. “Playing in the Tamil Nadu-Delhi game was a great setup for this match. My confidence was high, and I had hit my best rhythm with both bat and ball,” he explained. This game was not only about personal achievement but a reminder of his love for the longer format, which he had been away from while focusing on white-ball cricket for the last two months.
While Pune’s performance was exceptional, Sundar mentioned that his Test debut at the Gabba in Australia holds a special place in his heart, recalling India’s historic win. However, he noted that the Pune ground also has sentimental value for him, as it was the site of his IPL debut. “The Gabba Test will always be special—winning on debut is unforgettable. But this Pune Test also holds a place in my heart. It’s where I made my IPL debut, and every game in this format means a lot to me,” Sundar said, thanking the captain and coach for their trust and support.
Sundar’s Test return signals not only his growth as a player but also the confidence the Indian management has in his all-round skills. His performance against New Zealand reaffirms India’s depth in spin and sets the stage for him to be a regular contributor to the team in the longer format, especially with upcoming high-stakes series on the horizon.
