Washinton Sundar has been the new addition to the India Cricket Team squad for the last 2 Test matches of the IND vs NZ Test series. In fact, the all-rounder is reportedly brought in the team as the cover for the top order. India has Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja as the two designated all-rounders in the team.
India has been handed a defeat in the IND vs NZ 1st Test in Bengaluru. As a result, to bolster the side, Washington Sundar has been added to the squad for the Pune and the Mumbai Test. Interestingly, Washington Sundar last played Test cricket for India way back in 2021.
Sundar adds option in India’s Top-order
The all-rounder hammered a stunning 152-run knock for Tamil Nadu against Delhi in the Ranji Trophy. He has been promoted up the order in First Class cricket and the results have been immediate. This promoted the player to claim that he prefers being a top-order batter.
“I definitely consider myself a top-order batter. I’m very happy with the kind of opportunity I got, to bat at No. 3. For me, one thing is very important – I need to be able to do whatever the team demands. It is a team game. That is what I always think about. Hopefully, I can deliver such knocks consistently,” Washington Sundar said the other day after hammering 152.
And since India has limited options as openers and top-order batters, Washington Sundar now fits the bill. As far as all-rounders are concerned, Ashwin and Jadeja are the automatic picks. This has prompted Axar Patel to remain on the bench. Should Washington want a chance to play, he needs to serve as a cover for the top-order batters.
The absence of an opener and with Shubman Gill missing the first Test adds concern for the side. The Selectors decided not to choose either of Abhimanyu Easwaran or Ruturaj Gaikwad as backup openers for the side.
India Squad for Last 2 Tests: Rohit Sharma (capt), Jasprit Bumrah (vice-capt), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (wk), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Akash Deep, Washington Sundar.
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