India’s Bengaluru Loss Prompts Washington Sundar’s Inclusion in Test Squad for New Zealand Series
India has called up allrounder Washington Sundar to their squad for the upcoming second and third Tests against New Zealand, following his stellar performance in the ongoing Ranji Trophy. Sundar, who batted at No. 3 for Tamil Nadu and scored a commanding 152 in their first innings against Delhi, has been included as the 16th member of the squad, without any other changes.
The announcement comes just after New Zealand completed an eight-wicket victory in the first Test in Bengaluru, marking their first Test win in India since 1988. The second Test will take place in Pune on October 24, followed by the third and final match in Mumbai on November 1.
Sundar, a promising spin-bowling allrounder, has not played Test cricket for India since March 2021. Although he has been part of India’s white-ball squads in recent months, his last appearance in the longest format came during the home series against England, where he was a replacement for the injured Ravindra Jadeja. Despite his limited Test experience, Sundar has shown his potential in his four appearances, accumulating 265 runs at an average of 66.25, including three half-centuries, and picking up six wickets in his four Tests.
His Test debut in the 2020-21 series against Australia at the Gabba in Brisbane remains one of his career highlights. In that match, Sundar played a pivotal role in India’s famous win, taking three first-innings wickets and scoring crucial lower-order runs with innings of 62 and 22.
In the Ranji Trophy match against Delhi, Sundar’s promotion to No. 3 was part of Tamil Nadu’s strategy, and he seized the opportunity, showcasing his top-order credentials with a powerful 152. Sundar, who considers himself a top-order batter, has expressed his desire to continue playing in the top order, and his strong form in domestic cricket may give the Indian team more options for the upcoming Tests.
The inclusion of Sundar comes at a time when India has injury concerns over key players. Shubman Gill, who missed the Bengaluru Test due to a stiff neck, is being closely monitored, and there are also doubts over Rishabh Pant’s fitness. Pant, who made 99 in the second innings of the first Test, had taken a blow to his knee during the match, and the team management has been cautious with his recovery. Pant, who has undergone multiple surgeries on his knees after his car accident last year, was kept away from wicketkeeping duties as a precaution.
India has also been deploying three frontline spinners—Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Kuldeep Yadav—in their squad, with Axar Patel as additional cover. It remains to be seen whether Sundar’s role will be primarily as top-order cover or as another spin option, as India assesses their strategies ahead of the second Test.
India Squad for 2nd and 3rd Test against New Zealand
Rohit Sharma (captain), Jasprit Bumrah (vice-captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (wk), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammad Siraj, Akash Deep, Washington Sundar
India will look to bounce back from their defeat in Bengaluru when the second Test begins in Pune on October 24.
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