Sundar’s 7-Fer Against New Zealand Steals the Headlines in Tests

Washington Sundar stole the show in Pune, taking a career-best 7/59 to dismiss New Zealand for 259 on the opening day of the second Test in Pune. A surprise inclusion, Sundar made a stunning return to red-ball cricket after nearly three years away, more than justifying his call-up to the team. By the end of his magical spell, India had seized the upper hand in this Test, with legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar hailing the young all-rounder’s performance as “astonishing.”

 

Unexpected Call-Up, Big Impact

Sundar’s selection came as a surprise, with India opting to replace Kuldeep Yadav with the young off-spinner after a last-minute reshuffle. He joined Shubman Gill and debutant Akash Deep as fresh faces for this match. Sundar was originally set to play in the Ranji Trophy but found himself thrust back into the Test squad, and his inclusion made all the difference on Thursday.

With the Kiwis off to a solid start, reaching 204/6 on the back of Devon Conway’s 76 and Rachin Ravindra’s 65, Sundar’s precise off-spin turned the tide. He broke crucial partnerships at key moments, showcasing sharp variations and impressive control. His mastery left New Zealand’s batters struggling, and he wrapped up the innings with finesse, marking his return with seven wickets.

 

Ashwin’s Apprentice Steals the Limelight

On a day when Ashwin started strong, Sundar quickly took over as the bowling hero. Having watched and learned from Ravichandran Ashwin’s tricks over the years, Sundar showed he had absorbed his mentor’s insights. Ashwin even applauded Sundar off the field after the younger spinner matched Ashwin’s own best figures in Tests.

Sundar’s breakthroughs were crucial, particularly his dismissals of Rachin Ravindra and Tom Blundell, as he used drift, dip, and turn to deceive batters with Ashwin-like precision. Sundar’s performance also drew praise from former India coach Ravi Shastri, who has long seen him as a future all-format star.

 

A Test All-Rounder in the Making?

Not only is Sundar an outstanding bowler, but his batting also holds immense promise. Gautam Gambhir has backed him as a top all-rounder, having promoted Sundar up the batting order in recent ODIs. With a Ranji Trophy century earlier this season, Sundar has shown his potential as a balanced all-round option for India.

 

As Sundar himself said, it seemed like “God’s plan” brought him back to Pune, where he once burst onto the scene as a young IPL bowler. Now, years later, he’s proving that he belongs in all formats of the game, and Thursday’s performance may just be the beginning of a long and fruitful Test career.