"You were suddenly para-dropped" - Aakash Chopra lauds Washington Sundar's spell in IND vs NZ 2024 2nd Test
Aakash Chopra has lauded Washington Sundar for bowling a potent spell after suddenly being included in India's playing XI for the second Test against New Zealand in Pune. He added that the off-spinner was virtually unstoppable once Rohit Sharma changed his end.
Sundar registered figures of 7/59 in 23.1 overs, as India bowled New Zealand out for 259 in their first innings on Thursday, October 24. The hosts ended the day at 16/1, with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill being the unbeaten batters.
While reviewing the day's play on Colors Cineplex, Aakash Chopra was asked about his thoughts on Sundar's spell.
"It was extremely impressive, very interesting and very exciting as well because you were suddenly para-dropped. You were not part of this series and there would have been some reason why you weren't there," he responded.
The former India opener noted that the lanky spinner didn't start well but proved lethal once his end was changed.
"Four other spinners were already present but you were brought in and played. The start was not good and there were a few more questions on your selection. However, then you changed your end. The story changed completely once the end was changed because he picked up seven wickets from that end," Chopra elaborated.
Chopra noted that Sundar not only justified his selection with a seven-wicket haul but also staked his claim for a regular spot in the XI for the upcoming games. He added that the first day of the Pune Test will be remembered for the spin-bowling all-rounder's Test comeback.
"When you saw him bowl at the start, he wasn't that consistent" - Aakash Chopra on Washington Sundar
![Washington Sundar didn't pick up a wicket in his first 13 overs. [P/C: BCCI]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/10/00497-17297728707689-1920.jpg?w=500)
In the same discussion, Aakash Chopra was asked whether only the end change made a difference or if he saw any visible changes in Washington Sundar's bowling.
"When you saw him bowl at the start, he wasn't that consistent. He wasn't bowling continuously at the same spot. Since he got a chance to play Test cricket after such a long time, it takes time sometimes. There are butterflies in the stomach which trouble you a little," he replied.
The cricketer-turned-commentator noted that the Tamil Nadu spinner got more consistent as the day progressed and didn't allow the batters to play him off the back foot.
"However, he got a little time to think after that. The end was changed and then things just fell into place. All 11 wickets today fell from that end. I feel he was more consistent and he rarely bowled lengths where the batters could play off the back foot. As a spinner, you are at your best when you force the batter to play all balls on the front foot," Chopra observed.
Ravichandran Ashwin (3/64) picked up New Zealand's first three wickets. Washington Sundar then accounted for the remaining seven Kiwi wickets once he was introduced from the end where the veteran off-spinner had struck the initial blows.