“I’m really grateful for this day, I don’t think I’ll ever forget this day, very special,” said a smiling Washington Sundar, capturing the essence of a remarkable moment in his cricketing career. The first day of the second Test between India and New Zealand in Pune proved to be a landmark occasion for Sundar, who achieved his career-best Test figures of 7 for 59. This performance was nothing short of magical, especially considering Sundar had not stepped onto the Test cricket field for over three-and-a-half years. Not originally included in the initial squad for the series, he received a last-minute call-up that required him to rush from Delhi, where he was participating in the Ranji Trophy, to join the Indian squad in Pune.
As Sundar made his way back to the pavilion on that unforgettable Thursday, his teammate and Indian cricket’s ace offspinner, R Ashwin, applauded him all the way. Upon arriving in Pune, Sundar engaged in a rigorous net session with Ashwin, who played a pivotal role in helping him adapt to the conditions. Sundar admitted to having regular discussions with the senior bowler about the nuances of bowling on this particular pitch, such as the appropriate pace to maintain.
Initially, Sundar primarily delivered balls at speeds touching the mid 90kph mark. However, as the day unfolded, he began to introduce variations. The dream spell that saw him claim all seven wickets was split by the Tea interval, resulting in figures of 10.1-1-28-7. Sundar reflected on his performance, attributing his success to divine intervention. “Honestly, it’s all God’s plan. His plan, God’s plan. I wanted to focus on every ball and give my 100 per cent from the start. I kept things tight, and it paid off, particularly with the moisture present in the morning session,” Sundar shared, exuding a sense of fulfillment.
The pitch offered significant assistance to spinners from the outset, enabling Sundar to hit the stumps five times and secure an additional wicket via LBW. India’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, had explained that Sundar was selected for the team because of his ability to offer “more control.” The logic was sound—Sundar, a finger spinner, was more likely to keep the stumps in play.
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Luke Ronchi, New Zealand’s batting coach, observed, “In India, you have to cover the straight ones because if it bowls you with a ball that really turns, it’s a credit to the bowler. Washington did that exceptionally well.” Sundar proved himself adept at exploiting angles by using the crease expertly, all the while maintaining focus on keeping the stumps in play.
Ronchi further emphasized Sundar’s consistency and his ability to bowl at a good area for extended periods. “Some deliveries were really wide from the crease, generating good drift. The ball that got Rachin [Ravindra] bowled from a really wide position,” noted Ronchi. Sundar dismissed Ravindra with his first ball after returning to the attack, triggering a collapse that saw New Zealand lose their final seven wickets to Sundar for a mere 62 runs. The delivery spun enough to outfox Ravindra, who was on 65, and hit the offstump.
Reflecting on this particular wicket, Sundar remarked, “I concentrated on hitting the right areas, expecting the pitch to offer something for the spinners. It’s important to stay sharp, and when things happen like that, it’s magical.” The speed guns recorded this delivery at approximately 93kph, while his delivery that trapped Daryl Mitchell LBW later in the day was slightly slower at around 85kph. These subtle pace variations remain a developing skill for Sundar, who had only played 32 First Class games until then, marking him as distinct from other offspinners.
Sundar’s adaptability is not limited to Test cricket. He has established himself in the competitive T20 circuit, celebrated for his subtle variations on straightish lines. His coach, Senthilnathan, reminisced about his early days, noting Sundar’s tall stature and advising against changing his style excessively. “He could bowl slower through the air but shouldn’t flight the ball too much,” said Senthilnathan, summarizing the adjustments required for Test cricket, which demanded more patience and strategic planning compared to T20 cricket.
Senthilnathan acknowledged the mental adjustment needed to transition from T20 to Tests, emphasizing the importance of control over longer durations. After Pune, Sundar would undoubtedly have gained insights into mastering this balance and adding more such memorable days to his cricketing repertoire.