Washington Sundar’s comeback to India’s Test team after a three-and-a-half year hiatus turned out to be a ‘special moment,’ as he delivered a stunning seven-wicket haul against New Zealand in the second Test at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium on Thursday. His incredible performance not only spelled doom for the Kiwis but also reignited his hopes of securing a place in the Indian squad for the upcoming tour of Australia, either with the A team or the senior men’s team.
The 25-year-old off-spinner from Chennai credits his resurgence to his impressive performance in the Ranji Trophy against Delhi last week, where he scored 152 runs and claimed six wickets.
“Last week was very special. I got to play the Ranji Trophy game. It went really well for me, and then, I got a call-up. I’m really grateful for the opportunity that I got today,” Washington shared with the media. “To be called especially in the middle of a series and to be given an opportunity to play in the playing XI… I’m really grateful to the coach and the captain. It really means a lot. I really wanted to give my 100 per cent throughout today and obviously, I will do that throughout the game,” he added with a beaming smile.
Having linked up with India’s Test team in Pune earlier this week, Washington made it a point to engage in lengthy discussions with experienced campaigners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja during training sessions. These insightful conversations undoubtedly helped Washington find his groove.
“We communicated a lot and they bring in a lot of qualities, skill sets, and experience as well. That really helps for someone who is playing along with them,” Washington acknowledged. “It definitely helped me today and it is special to be playing in the game in which both of them are part of as well. I hope we will get to play a lot more games together…”
Ever since his debut a few years ago, there have been ongoing debates about whether Washington should be considered a bowling all-rounder or not. However, he put an end to the speculation, stating, “As for perception, I shouldn’t be thinking too much about that. I should just be focusing on what I can do as a person, as a cricketer to keep getting better, to find that best version of myself… That’s always been the self-talk for me because I have always wanted to figure out things that would help me evolve as a cricketer. That’s the only thing I have been focusing on in the last few years and I’m really grateful to God for me to be able to experience this kind of situation,” he said with a smile.
The team management’s decision to call up Washington ahead of the second Test, after the disappointing loss in the series opener in Bengaluru, proved to be a masterstroke. With his sublime performance, Washington lived up to his name, demonstrating his immense talent and potential for the future.