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SPORTS NOVEMBER 01, 2024 | The Indian Eye 42

BELIEF and TALENT:

Washington Sundar reflects on his

big comeback in whites

Washington Sundar displayed a stupendous performance on the first day and led the Indian

bowling attack. He picked up seven wickets in his 24-over spell at an economy rate of 2.50

OUR BUREAU
Pune, MH
ndian spin-bowling all-rounder
Washington Sundar expressed de-
Ilight on his return to Tests after a
game-changing seven-wicket haul in
the first Test against New Zealand at
Pune’s Maharashtra Cricket Stadium
(MCA), saying that his brilliant re-
turn to Ranji Trophy perfectly set him
up for a Test return as he was in his
best rhythm with both bat and ball.
The chatter over Washington’s
selection was massive after Indian
skipper Rohit Sharma announced
three changes to the playing elev-
en for the Pune Test, picking pacer
Akash Deep, a returning Shubh-
man Gill and Washington in favour
of Mohammed Siraj, KL Rahul and
Kuldeep Yadav.
While Sundar had hit a mar-
vellous 152 while batting at number
three and took six wickets across both
innings of his Ranji return against India’s captain Rohit Sharma and Washington Sundar celebrate a wicket during Day 1 of the second test match against New Zealand, at Maha-
Delhi just days before the Pune Test,
there were questions raised about his rashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune on Thursday (ANI)
inclusion in the squad and eventually
the playing eleven, with many crick- said that while he was playing white- get to this game. The confidence was of him for the way he made his come-
eting experts and fans expressing that ball cricket for India consistently, he high and I had hit my best rhythm back in Tests after 3.5 years. What he
spinner Kuldeep Yadav was wronged was manifesting for his Test return with both bat and ball,” he added. did today was top-class,” Shailaja said
by being denied to play a Test on a since last two months or so. Following Washington Sundar’s while speaking to ANI.
spin-friendly surface and Rohit was “I believed I would be getting a exceptional performance on Day 1 of M S Shailaja, a professional
being panicky by trying to give his call, no matter when. Whenever you the Pune Test against New Zealand, cricketer who has played across all
batting some more depth. get a call to join the Test squad, it is his sister M S Shailaja heaped praise formats of the game in domestic
The all-rounder put an end to going to be special. When you think on the off-spinner’s bowling on his cricket, started her journey into the
all the noise with a masterclass spell. about something, wish for something return to the longest format of the game of cricket at around 6 years of
After Ravichandran Ashwin had and it happens, it is an unreal feeling. game after a long gap of 3.5 years. age. She has had a long career since
taken first three Kiwi wickets, Wash- I am grateful to be able to experience Washington Sundar displayed a her debut for the Tamil Nadu state
ington put momentum on India’s those feelings and be back to the Test stupendous performance on the first team way back in 2003, at just 11
side with quick wickets of in-form squad. A seven-for, very very spe- day and led the Indian bowling at- years old. She has since then played
Rachin Ravindra, who was looking to cial,” he further added. tack. He picked up seven wickets in across various age categories and
score big and of wicketkeeper-batter Washington said that his sev- his 24-over spell at an economy rate currently represents the Pondicherry
Tom Blundell. The final session wit- en-wicket haul on return to Test of 2.50. Senior team.
nessed the young all-rounder running cricket is one of those things he can- “It was lovely to watch him play She is a multi-faceted personali-
through the entire Kiwi line-up and not explain in words and credited his the way he played today and it was ty, having found her way into the oth-
taking a match-changing seven-wick- Ranji return for helping him make a indeed a very proud moment for us er side of the game as well. She has
et haul and triggering a collapse that return in whites for India. as a family. To watch him the way he donned the roles of Expert Analyst
could become a point of difference “I have played the Tamil Na- played and took the wickets was phe- and Sports Presenter and recently
within the next two days or so. du-Delhi game. It went very well for nomenal. He is been doing a great added a new feather to her cap as an
Speaking to BCCI, the youngster me. It was a perfect set-up for me to job and we are very happy and proud Expert Commentator.

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