NEW DELHI: Rohit Sharma faced a barrage of criticism after announcing the changes to India’s Playing XI for the second Test against New Zealand on Friday.
The team management opted to rest Kuldeep Yadav and bring in Washington Sundar, who had only been added to the Test squad the previous Sunday following India’s loss in the first match of the series in Bengaluru.
Sundar made a significant impact, taking career-best figures of 7-59 to limit New Zealand to 259 runs, after veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin had already claimed 3-64.
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Gambhir, unable to contain his excitement, rose from his seat in the dressing room to applaud the young spinner’s remarkable performance.
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Sundar said being part of the three-pronged spin attack on the opening day of the second test was a special experience.
“We communicated a lot. They brought a lot of qualities, skill sets and experience as well. That really helps for someone who is playing along with them. It definitely helped me today,” Washington told reporters.
He expressed his delight at being part of a three-pronged spin attack alongside Ashwin and Jadeja, stating, “It’s special, isn’t it, to be playing in a game that both of them are a part of. I hope that we’ll get to play a lot more games together.”
Washington emphasized the significance of his return to the Test squad and his performance in the match.
“Right from the start, getting to play this game and coming back to the test squad, there are a lot of things that I can say mean a lot to me and are very special,” he added. “I’m grateful. I don’t think I’ll ever forget this day.”