"The production didn't have any photographs of me" - Washington Sundar on returning to India's Test team after 3 years
All-rounder Washington Sundar returned to India's Test team after almost three-and-a-half years The youngster made a fantastic comeback by claiming a seven-wicket haul in the first innings of the Men in Blue's ongoing second Test against New Zealand in Pune.
Sundar's last Test appearance came against England in 2021, where he scored an unbeaten 96 in India's first essay. Opening up on his comeback, the 25-year-old mentioned that he had to attend a photoshoot as the production team didn't have his pictures in a Test jersey.
He also spoke about how he had manifested being part of the Indian team for the ongoing three-match home Test series against New Zealand. In a video shared by the BCCI on its official website, the talented cricketer said:
"Ya, it was in 2021 but it's been quite some time because I realized that when I was asked to come for headshots because the production didn't have any photographs of me, especially in whites. Just before going into the field was definitely pleasing. I definitely manifested. Probably, in the last couple of months, I manifested this to happen, especially in this particular series."
It is worth mentioning that Washington Sundar was initially not part of India's Test squad for the ongoing series. He was added to the lineup after the home team's eight-wicket defeat in the opening encounter in Bengaluru.
The crafty spinner was the pick of the bowlers for India on Day 1 of the Pune Test. He registered career-best figures of 23.1-4-59-7, helping his team bundle out the Kiwis for 259.
"I believed I would be getting a call" - Washington Sundar on his comeback
While Washington Sundar has been part of India's white-ball teams, he was absent from the Test format for over three years.
In the same video, the all-rounder said he believed he would get the selectors' call one day. Expressing his excitement over his comeback, Washington Sundar said:
"I believed I would be getting a call, no matter when, as long as you get a call to join the Test squad for the Indian team, it's going to be special. When you think about something, when you wish for something, and when that eventually happens, it's an unreal feeling. I am really grateful to experience those emotions, to come back into the Test squad and a seven-fer, very, very special. Not a lot of things can be put in words in life and it was definitely one of them."
After bowling out New Zealand for 259, India lost skipper Rohit Sharma early for a nine-ball duck towards the end of Day 1. The hosts finished 16/1 at stumps.