"I manifested for this to happen in this Test" - Washington Sundar on his seven-fer in 2nd IND vs NZ 2024 TestÂ
Team India all-rounder Washington Sundar made a memorable return to the red-ball setup after claiming figures of 7-59 in the second Test against New Zealand at the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium in Pune. Included in the squad after the first Test in Bengaluru, Sundar got into the playing XI straightaway, replacing Kuldeep Yadav in the process.
The off-spinner was included, keeping the left-handed batters in mind. He was brought into the attack in the early stages of the contest itself alongside Ravichandran Ashwin. While he did not have a huge say in the first half of the day, Sundar wreaked havoc as the sessions progressed.
The all-arounder opened his account by dismissing Rachin Ravindra with a brilliant delivery, and soon after accounted for Tom Bludell's wicket as well to close out the second session. He ran riot after tea, dismantling the entire New Zealand lower order to not only record his first Test five-wicket haul but also his best-ever figures in first-class cricket.
Sundar's efforts led to New Zealand crumbling from 197-3 to 259 all out in quick succession.
"Amazing to be living the dream, I manifested for this to happen in this Test. Thrilled to be part of this test, grateful to the coach and captain, unbelievable feeling. To be honest, I wanted to be accurate, no matter what, it's god's plan and it came through really well, just hit the right areas, changed my pace here and there," Sundar told the broadcasters after stumps on Day 1.
"We genuinely felt it'll start spinning from Day 1, don't think it did in the second session, but eventually it did," he added.
Sundar listed Rachin Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell's wickets as his favorites from his memorable seven-wicket haul.
"It's unfair for me to choose, amazing feeling. Certainly, Rachin, he was getting into a decent position and also Daryl Mitchell's wicket I enjoyed," Sundar said.
Team India had to survive a short burst before stumps, a phase during which they lost skipper Rohit Sharma. At the end of the day's play, the score reads 16-1.
Washington Sundar came into the match on the back of some form
Prior to the second Test, the all-rounder was playing in the Ranji Trophy for Tamil Nadu. He recorded a hundred while batting at No. 3 and also picked up six wickets to be adjudged Player of the Match in the drawn contest against Delhi.
Sundar marked his return to the Indian red-ball setup after three and a half years. His last appearance came during the home series against England in early 2021.