In a recent announcement, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has added star all-rounder Washington Sundar to the squad for the remaining two Tests against New Zealand. The 25-year-old will link up with the team in Pune, where the second Test is set to begin on October 24.
Despite Sundar’s addition, the BCCI has not specified the reason behind including the versatile all-rounder in the squad. This decision comes even as India’s line-up already features three renowned spinners—Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel. Rohit Sharma and his squad will now proceed to the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium in Pune with a 16-member unit, bolstered by Sundar’s inclusion.
Washington Sundar has shown promising form in the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2024-25 season. Representing Tamil Nadu, he played a crucial knock, scoring 152 runs at number three against Delhi at the Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium. His contribution wasn’t limited to batting; Sundar also picked up two wickets, underlining his all-round capabilities. He is expected to complete his Ranji Trophy commitments with Tamil Nadu by October 21 before joining the national team.
Sundar’s last Test appearance for India dates back to March 2021 in Ahmedabad. He made a memorable debut in the iconic Gabba Test in 2021, playing a pivotal role in India’s historic series win in Australia. Since then, he has played three more Tests against England at home in the same year.
The addition of Sundar brings depth to India’s squad, particularly in the spin department, providing Rohit Sharma with more options against a competitive New Zealand side. His recent form in domestic cricket suggests that he is ready to make a mark on the international stage once again.
India squad for the second and third Tests against New Zealand
Rohit Sharma (capt), Jasprit Bumrah (vice-capt), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (wk.), Dhruv Jurel (wk.), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Akash Deep, Washington Sundar.
