India all-rounder Washington Sundar impressed one and all with his bowling exploits on Day 1 of the second Test against New Zealand at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune.
Playing his first Test in more than three years, Sundar returned a seven-wicket haul (7-59), dismissing the likes of Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips and Tom Blundell. Thanks to his brilliance with the ball, India bundled out the Kiwis for a modest total of 259 in the first innings.
Sundar came to address the post-day press conference, where he expressed his desire to play a lot more games alongside the legendary duo of R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.
“We communicated a lot and they brought in a lot of qualities, skill sets and experience. That really helps for someone who is playing along with them,” Sundar told reporters.
“It definitely helped me today and it is special to be playing in the game in which both of them are part of as well. I hope we will get to play a lot more games together,” he added.
Washington also praised Ashwin for sharing the nuances of their common craft. “It’s quite rare but he (Ashwin) is very kind, especially in that perspective. Not just me, but no matter who goes and asks him for ideas about bowling or any technicalities, he’s always there to help everyone,” he remarked.
It reflected in the day’s proceedings as Ashwin (3-64) broke through the New Zealand top-order before Washington feasted on the middle and lower-middle-order.
“The ball became very soft. So, we had to sort of give more speed and more body into the ball, that was something me and Ash (Ashwin) kept talking about,” Washington revealed.
“Ashwin said he did that himself in the spell after lunch, that’s how he got (Devon) Conway out. We spoke about it and (I’m) glad I was able to do it,” he further stated.
Coming to the match, India ended the opening day at 16/1, with Shubman Gill (10*) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (6*) at the crease. Skipper Rohit Sharma was the only batter to get out as he was dismissed by Tim Southee for a nine-ball duck.
(With inputs from Agencies)
