Being one of the debutants who shined during the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar trophy, Tamil Nadu's Washington Sundar said that making a Test debut and winning at The Gabba, Brisbane was a dream come true for him.
The limited-overs leg of India’s tour of Australia saw the hosts winning the ODI series 2-1 and losing the T20I series by the same margin. Following that, the 4-match Test series commenced on December 17 in Adelaide, where Team India suffered a thumping defeat as the visitors were bowled out for just 36 runs.
However, after suffering a batting debacle at Adelaide, the Indian team regrouped to put together three stellar performances.
Team India led by Ajinkya Rahane, despite being battered and bruised, showed great resilience and application to register historic victories at Melbourne (MCG) and Gabba, Brisbane. The team also registered a famous draw in Sydney.
R Ashwin’s injury ahead of the 4th Test-match was a blessing in disguise for Washington Sundar as the former made his Test debut for India.
The 21-year-old was asked to stay back in Australia after the white-ball leg of the tour and practiced at the nets, which later helped him in his unplanned Test debut at the Gabba.
AUS v IND 2020-21: “Shardul complemented me nicely in crucial partnership,” says Washington Sundar
Impressing everyone with his all-round performance in the fourth and final Test match of the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar trophy Sundar credited Team management and said staying with the team helped him improve his skillsets.
“I was there for a months after the ODI series, it gave me an amazing opportunity to bowl on Australian soil and to improve my skillsets as well. Definitely have to thank the management for that. Washington Sundar told Sports today.
Referring to his debut Washington Sundar, 21, said that it was a special feeling and a dream come true moment for him.
“I got to know a day or two before the Gabba Test [ that I was in the playing XI]. Definitely, the pressure was there but more than the pressure the excitement was honestly more.
To be able to play Test cricket for India is a special feeling. Nothing can beat that. So, yes I was very excited to go to the ground and be a part of the Gabba Test. It went really well and it was a dream come true,” he said.
Sundar, who picked Steve Smith as his maiden Test wicket, credited the process that was involved and said that he felt really good getting that Steve Smith as his first scalp in Tests.
“Before getting Smith’s wicket, 3 overs and all 3 were maidens. I feel was following the process, I just wanted to bowl tightly because on Day 1, just wanted to keep things tight and bowl in the good areas, go with the plans.
Which actually helped me get a wicket in that bargain and it felt really good getting that maiden wicket in Test cricket of Steve Smith. The way he was batting that day, on full song, and to have broken that particular partnership between him and Marnus, very glad about it,” he concluded.
Washington Sundar's heroics in the fourth Test-match earned him a place in the 18-man squad for the first two Tests of a 4-match series against England, starting February 5 in Chennai.
(Sports today inputs)
