The iconic Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has severely condemned the inclusion of Washington Sundar into the playing XI for New Zealand’s second Test at MCA Stadium in Pune. Sundar found a place in the team after India lost the first Test in Bengaluru by eight wickets, although he was not initially taken in the 15-member Indian squad named for the three-match series. Head Coach Gautam Gambhir added that Sundar was played to add depth to options against left-handed batsmen in the New Zealand top four, with three left-handers.
Sundar replaced left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav. Gambhir explained the logic behind that:
“With four or five left-handers in their batting order, having another bowler who can turn the ball away from them is beneficial. We believe Washington can offer more control and is a strong option for us.”
Gavaskar, however, didn’t buy into the left-hander logic. The former India captain said Sundar was picked more out of unease over India’s lower-order batting strength. “The inclusion of Washington Sundar shows the Indian team was apprehensive about their depth in batting.
He is not picked only because he is an off-spinner but also that with him, extra runs can be added towards the tail end,” Gavaskar observed while commentating on Day 1. He said if the ploy was to challenge left-handers, Kuldeep Yadav should have been more suitable because he can turn, though he is nowhere near the runs Sundar scores.
This return of Sundar to the Indian Test XI means he will be playing his first Test in three years since his last appearance against England in 2021. He scored an unbeaten 96 against England. Off late, Sundar has been in good form, hitting a century in his last Ranji Trophy match for Tamil Nadu.
Former Indian left-arm spinner Murali Kartik, who was in the commentary box, was shocked that Sundar was thrown in ahead of Kuldeep and Axar Patel. “I was a little surprised when Kuldeep Yadav was left out.
Axar Patel, who had a good game in Australia, didn’t get enough opportunity to bowl with the ball. Kuldeep provides a plethora of variations, and often what happens with spinners in Test match cricket is that they need an absolute score behind them,” Kartik said.
Apart from including Sundar, Shubman Gill and Akash Deep replaced KL Rahul and Mohammed Siraj in two other changes for the Indian side after the first Test loss.
