Ganesh Kendale
PUNE: Washington Sundar has added another feather in his cap. He was a kind of ‘super sub’ in the absence of Virat Kohli and many others when India won the Brisbane Test, and with that the series Down Under in 2020-21. Now, he is India’s ‘super addition’.
Drafted into the second Test as a 16th member after the Bengaluru reversal, Washington came up with a dream spell of 7/59, including 7/28 in 61 balls and gave India’s campaign a much-needed boost.
After scoring 152 in Delhi in a Ranji match, his second-highest first-class score, he came up with his best-ever first-class bowling effort in Pune on Thursday. He is playing in only his fifth Test.
Washington labelled the turnaround within 10 days as “God’s plan” and thanked the team management and selectors for giving him an opportunity. On the Rachin dismissal, he said, “When it happens, it is magical.”
He also hoped that he would get more chances to play whenever India opts for a three-man spin attack. A left-handed batsman, Washington said the experience of playing red-ball cricket (Ranji) helped him a lot in regards to his rhythm with bat and ball. He also emphasised on the need to be accurate on this track.
When Luke Ronchi said some of the Kiwis batsmen were “unfortunately” out, he was not way off the mark. For, it was that kind of a magical day for Washington. “Washington showed consistency,” said the NZ batting coach. “He bowled wide of the crease, got the drift and made batsmen play.”
He also said that the pitch did not turn as much as they thought it would. Ronchi reckoned that after looking at the behaviour of the pitch in the first session, the Indians bowled slower and also varied their pace on a pitch which doesn’t have consistent bounce.
However, Washingon said that after the ball became soft, he and Ashwin discussed about “more speed and putting more body into the balls”. The venue is also special to Washington as he had made his IPL debut in 2016 for Pune here after Ashwin was injured.
When Washington takes someone’s place, he is doubly dangerous.
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