"Washington Sundar channelling his inner SKY today" - Fans erupt as Sundar's blistering cameo takes India to 306/7 vs NZ

Washington Sundar's enterprising cameo proved to make a difference of at least 10-20 runs in the first ODI between Team India and New Zealand at Eden Park in Auckland.

Walking out to bat at No. 7, Sundar played some incredibly crisp shots and smashed 37 runs off just 16 balls to ensure India crossed the 300-run mark. The Men in Blue ended the innings on a mammoth 306/7.

Earlier, half-centuries from the top three of Shubman Gill (50), Shikhar Dhawan (72) and Shreyas Iyer (80) gave the Men in Blue a good platform. However, it was Sundar's knock that could prove to be a game-changing cameo.

Fans on Twitter hailed the Tamil Nadu all-rounder for finally showing what he is capable of, as he has been in and out of the team due to injuries.

The handle of Indian Premier League franchise Punjab Kings drew parallels between Sundar's strokeplay and that of Suryakumar Yadav, tweeting:

"Washington Sundar channelling his inner SKY today! 🤩🤩🤩"

Here are some of the reactions:

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Punjab Kings

@PunjabKingsIPL

Washington Sundar channelling his inner SKY today! 🤩🤩🤩

#NZvIND #SaddaPunjab #PunjabKings

611

29

Washington Sundar channelling his inner SKY today! 🤩🤩🤩

#NZvIND #SaddaPunjab #PunjabKings https://t.co/LS1VQ3BavJ

Mohammad Kaif

@MohammadKaif

Washington sunder innings might be the difference in this game

453

16

Washington sunder innings might be the difference in this game 👌 https://t.co/88irDxnA6K

Narbavi

@Narbavi

Just stay fit, Washington Sundar. You will be in that squad for the 2023 ODI WC and the 2024 T20 WC without a doubt.

3

Just stay fit, Washington Sundar. You will be in that squad for the 2023 ODI WC and the 2024 T20 WC without a doubt.

R A T N I S H

@LoyalSachinFan

Washington Sundar wow game changing cameo.

87

3

Washington Sundar wow game changing cameo.

sourav

@Purplepatch22

Washingston Sundar today:

5

Washingston Sundar today: https://t.co/sAiur2HiCO

Irfan Irru

@Irfan_irru_17

A man changed the whole scenario Washington Sundar 37* from just 16 balls

#IndvsNz #NzvsInd

84

6

A man changed the whole scenario 💥 Washington Sundar 37* from just 16 balls

#IndvsNz #NzvsInd https://t.co/KOTec8xPOC

Rockstar MK

@RockstarMK11

Washington Sundar Scored 37 runs in just 16 deliveries at a strike rate of 231.25

Unbelievable stuff by Washi

67

3

Washington Sundar Scored 37 runs in just 16 deliveries at a strike rate of 231.25

Unbelievable stuff by Washi ❤️🙌 https://t.co/0gGlcGHvpQ

Shivani

@meme_ki_diwani

One heck of an inning by Sundar
Pure class and elegance

110

2

One heck of an inning by Sundar
Pure class and elegance

Mumbai Indians

@mipaltan

SUNDAR shots on display!!! 🤌

653

13

SUNDAR shots on display!!! 🤌💙

Bhawana

@bhawnakohli5

Washington Sundar. We missed you big time. Such thrilling display to take the team over 300.

351

10

Washington Sundar. We missed you big time. Such thrilling display to take the team over 300🔥.

Abhishek Mukherjee

@ovshake42

A year down the line, India will go in with four batters, four bowlers, two all-rounders, and a wicketkeeper.

Pandya and Jadeja are going to be the all-rounders.

But both are injury prone. It is important for Sundar (also injury prone) to make the most of every break.

356

14

A year down the line, India will go in with four batters, four bowlers, two all-rounders, and a wicketkeeper.

Pandya and Jadeja are going to be the all-rounders.

But both are injury prone. It is important for Sundar (also injury prone) to make the most of every break.

Heisenberg ☢

@internetumpire

Did someone forget to tell Washington Sundar that the T20 series was over? God damn.

419

18

Did someone forget to tell Washington Sundar that the T20 series was over? God damn.

Silly Point

@FarziCricketer

What a cameo from Sundar. Not only the runs, but the shots were crisp as well. 🥵

850

33

What a cameo from Sundar. Not only the runs, but the shots were crisp as well. 🥵

Johns.

@CricCrazyJohns

What a blinder by Washington Sundar, 37* from just 16 balls - incredible finishing by Sundar.

1507

124

What a blinder by Washington Sundar, 37* from just 16 balls - incredible finishing by Sundar. https://t.co/BX3ltEBojF

Mufaddal Vohra

@mufaddal_vohra

What a finish by Washington Sundar - 37* in just 16 balls with 3 fours and 3 sixes. Made a comeback after recovering from injury and made batting look so easy.

Well played, Sundar!

2652

182

What a finish by Washington Sundar - 37* in just 16 balls with 3 fours and 3 sixes. Made a comeback after recovering from injury and made batting look so easy.

Well played, Sundar! https://t.co/evayBwVq8i

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Washington Sundar's cameo helped India cash in at the backend

Team India got off to a solid start once again, thanks to the opening partnership of Shikhar Dhawan and Shubman Gill. The duo brought up their fourth-century stand in nine innings.

However, from 124/0, the Men in Blue slipped to 160/4 as Lockie Ferguson bowled a fantastic spell. Shreyas Iyer continued his dream touch in ODIs, notching up another half-century and getting some crucial support from Sanju Samson (36). Their 94-run stand gave Washington Sundar a platform to explode.

The all-rounder played some fabulous shots and manipulated the field really well. The Kiwis know that they have their work cut out as only once in the history of ODIs has a total in excess of 300 been chased at Eden Park.

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India XI: Shikhar Dhawan (c), Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Sanju Samson, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Umran Malik, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal.

New Zealand XI: Finn Allen, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson (c), Tom Latham (wk), Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Adam Milne, Matt Henry, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson.

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