Cheteshwar Pujara has strongly advocated for the retention of young all-rounders Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar in India's playing XI for the upcoming second Test against Australia, scheduled to begin on December 6 at the Adelaide Oval. Pujara's comments come ahead of a crucial day-night match in Adelaide, where India will look to build on their 1-0 lead in the five-match series following their dominant victory in the Perth Test.
India's squad for the Adelaide Test is expected to undergo some changes, particularly in the batting order, with the return of captain Rohit Sharma and the potential availability of Shubman Gill, both of whom missed the Perth Test. However, Pujara believes that the team should not tinker with the bowling attack, especially after the impressive performances of Reddy and Sundar in the series opener.
Rohit Sharma is expected to reclaim the captaincy for the pink-ball Test in Adelaide, which means Dhruv Jurel, who played in Perth, is likely to make way for the skipper. While the batting lineup could see some adjustments, Pujara feels that the inclusion of Sundar and Reddy in the bowling attack for the second Test is the right call.
Both Reddy and Sundar played key roles in India’s victory over Australia in Perth. Reddy, who has been impressing with both bat and ball, was instrumental in India’s strong performance in the first Test. He made valuable contributions with the bat, scoring a crucial 41 runs in the first innings and a brisk 38* in the second innings. With the ball, Reddy bowled seven overs and claimed his maiden Test wicket, marking an important milestone in his young career.
Washington Sundar, known for his all-round abilities, was equally impressive in Perth. Sundar scored 29 runs in the second innings and was effective with the ball, claiming two important wickets. His all-round abilities and composure under pressure make him a key asset for India in the pink-ball Test. Pujara believes Sundar’s ability to bat in the lower-middle order is vital for India, especially if the team faces early setbacks with the bat.
Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Pujara explained that while Sundar might not have been at his best when he began bowling, he showed his skill and composure by taking two crucial wickets in the first Test. "He didn't look really good when he started his bowling, but eventually he got a couple of wickets, he varied his pace, so Washy should be our spinner," Pujara said. He also highlighted Sundar’s batting ability, stressing that his role with the bat is an important factor in India's balance, particularly if the team faces a middle-order collapse. "Because he can bat well. The reason he was chosen in this squad is because he can bat. It will be important in the second Test match that, in case we lose a few wickets early, if the lower-middle order needs to contribute, Washington can do that role," Pujara added.
Reddy and Sundar's solid all-round performances in Perth have provided India with much-needed depth in both batting and bowling, and Pujara believes they have earned the right to continue in the team for the Adelaide Test. Their inclusion not only strengthens India’s attack but also provides valuable batting depth, a crucial factor in the unpredictable conditions of a day-night Test.
With the series at a pivotal stage, India's bowling attack, led by the likes of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, will need support from Reddy and Sundar, and their all-round skills could make the difference in what promises to be a challenging Test in Adelaide.
