Washington Sundar, fresh off a century for Tamil Nadu in their ongoing Ranji Trophy match against Delhi, has been added to India’s squad for the second and third Tests against New Zealand. This decision by the BCCI selectors marks Washington as the 16th member of the Test team, with no other changes made to the lineup.
New Zealand recently secured an eight-wicket victory in the first Test held in Bengaluru, marking their first Test win in India since 1988.
The next Test is set to commence in Pune on October 24, followed by the final match in Mumbai on November 1.
Despite being a regular in India’s white-ball teams, Washington has not played Test cricket since March 2021. He was part of the squad as a replacement for the injured Ravindra Jadeja during the home Test series against England earlier this year and is regarded as a promising all-rounder with spin-bowling capabilities.
In his brief Test career so far, spanning four matches during the 2020-21 season, Washington has scored 265 runs, which includes three half-centuries, at an impressive average of 66.25. He also took six wickets with his offspin at an average of 49.83. His Test debut was particularly memorable as he played a significant role in India’s historic victory at the Gabba in January 2021, where he claimed three wickets in the first innings and contributed valuable runs with scores of 62 and 22.
During the 2020-21 season, following a successful home series win over England, former head coach Ravi Shastri expressed confidence in Washington’s future, calling him India’s “premier all-rounder across all three formats.” He advised Washington to focus on his fitness—his career has faced disruptions due to injuries—and to bat higher in the order in domestic competitions.
In the recent Ranji Trophy match against Delhi, Washington batted at No. 3, scoring 152 runs in Tamil Nadu’s first innings. He mentioned that the team management had decided to promote him in the batting order, stating he sees himself as a top-order player.
As the second Test approaches, it remains to be seen what specific role India envisions for Washington in the squad. In the first Test, India fielded three frontline spinners: Jadeja, R Ashwin, and Kuldeep Yadav, with Axar Patel as a reserve. All three spinners are capable allrounders.
Washington’s inclusion may serve as a precautionary measure for India’s top order, especially considering fitness concerns for key players. Shubman Gill, the first-choice No. 3, missed the Bengaluru Test due to a stiff neck, while Rishabh Pant, who scored 99 in the second innings, faced difficulties with his knee after a blow during the match. Pant, who has undergone surgeries on both knees following a severe car accident in December 2022, has been carefully managed to ensure his fitness for the series.
Also Read:New Zealand Secures Historic Test Victory in India After 36 Years
India Squad for Second and Third Tests Against New Zealand:
Rohit Sharma (captain), Jasprit Bumrah (vice-captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Dhruv Jurel (wicketkeeper), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Akash Deep, Washington Sundar.
