By midway into the final session on Day 1, the narrative had changed. “What an inspirational selection this is,” Sunil Gavaskar said on air. Ravi Shastri had a word of praise for the people who were instrumental in Washington Sundar's selection. Out there in the middle at the MCA Stadium ground in Pune, the Tamil Nadu off-spinner wore a sheepish smile after completing his maiden fifer in Test. He would go on to claim 7/59 to break the backbone of New Zealand batting. From 197/3 at one stage, the tourists folded up for 259 in their first innings.
In a must-win game, after losing the Bangalore Test, India made three changes to their playing XI. Fit-again Shubman Gill returned to the side at the expense of KL Rahul. The team management rightly rewarded Sarfaraz Khan's excellent 150 in the first Test and retained him. Akash Deep for Mohammed Siraj was also expected, given the latter’s downturn in form of late. But Washington for Kuldeep Yadav raised many an eyebrow. The hosts have opted for a turner for the second Test and Kuldeep is a bowler who can make things happen.
On the face of it, Washington’s inclusion felt like a defensive move. It was as if India had been regressing to a 7-4 (seven batsmen and four bowlers) combination, on the heels of 46 all out. Washington’s CV describes him as an all-rounder, but by his own admission, he is a specialist batsman who can bowl off-spin. Only a few days ago, after scoring a century in a Ranji Trophy game, batting at No. 3, the 25-year-old called himself a “specialist batsman”. From that perspective, Washington running through New Zealand’s batting was as exhilarating as it was unexpected.
Rachin Ravindra was his first wicket. After scoring a magnificent century in the first Test, the southpaw yet again was threatening to take the game away from India. Washington dismissed him with a ripper - a delivery bowled from wide of the crease landed on good length and turned just enough to go past the outside edge to hit the off stump.
Watch: Sarfaraz Khan risks 'Test career' to convince Rohit Sharma for DRS, moment goes viral
Tom Blundell was done in by some extra bit of turn, the ball going through the gate to castle him.
The delivery to Daryl Mitchell turned just the perfect amount to impact the batsman in line and trap him leg-before. Suddenly, New Zealand became jittery and it reflected in Glenn Phillips’ poor shot selection.
Tim Southee was done in by the angle, and it was Washington’s fifth. Two more scalps further embellished his figures.
“I wasn't part of the first Test and I was called for this particular Test and given the opportunity to play in the XI,” Washington told the host broadcaster at the end of the day's play. “I was really grateful to the coach and captain. Unbelievable feeling.”
Washington revels under pressure. As a batsman, he made telling contributions against Australia at the Gabba and against England in Ahmedabad. On Thursday in Pune, he turned out to be the man with the golden arm.
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