The All India Selection Committee made a mid-series addition to India’s squad-Washington Sundar-for the last two Tests against New Zealand after an embarrassing defeat in Bengaluru.
Sundar, who last played a red-ball match for India way back in 2021, will join the side in Pune for the second Test. The spin all-rounder doesn’t have the best of numbers with the ball in the four Tests he has played, he picked just six wickets at an average of 49.83. Meanwhile, he scored 265 runs at an average of 66.25 with the bat.
The 25-year-old’s inclusion in the squad comes after his 152 for Tamil Nadu in the ongoing Ranji Trophy match against Delhi.
Former India opener Aakash Chopra feels that Sundar’s inclusion was a bit of a shocker for him as in the same Ranji Trophy match, Sai Sudharsan smashed a double ton, but he didn’t receive a call-up.
“Washington Sundar’s name has come in the team. It was slightly on unexpected lines, although he scored a century just now. He was playing for Tamil Nadu and beat up Delhi. Sai Sudharsan also beat up Delhi. He scored a double hundred, and Sundar scored a century,” said Chopra on his YouTube channel.
Chopra asserted that Sundar’s late inclusion has raised doubts over Ravichandran Ashwin’s fitness, who didn’t get to bowl much in the second innings at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru.
“He (Sundar) has been given a place in the team. The question that comes to mind is – what is the Indian team thinking? Do they want to play another spinner? There were already plenty of fast bowlers in the traveling reserves. Is Ashwin not fully fit?” he added.