Washington Sundar named in India's squad for the second and third tests against New Zealand

Washington Sundar, who scored a ton for Tamil Nadu in their ongoing Ranji Trophy clash against Delhi, will be part of India’s squad for the second and third Tests against the Kiwis. 

The Indian Cricket Board selectors have added Washington to India’s test squad as the 16th member, without making any other changes. 

On Sunday, the Black Caps secured an eight-wicket win in the opening Test in Bengaluru, their first victory in India since 1988. The next test is slated to commence in Pune on October 24, and the third and final test in Mumbai on November 1. 

Washington has been a member of India’s setup in recent months, but has not played much since March 2021, He was, however, part of their squad as a replacement during the home test series against the Three Lions earlier this year, and is seen as a long term prospect as a spin bowling all-rounder. 

He has made four test appearances so far, all in the 2020-2021 season, when Jadeja, their ace spin allrounder, was omitted from the squad due to an injury. Washington scored 265 runs, including three half-centuries at an average of 66.25 with bat in hand and picked up six wickets. He played a pivotal role in India’s iconic win at the Gabba in 2021 which was also his debut game. 

At the end of the 20-21 season, during, which he also turned heads with his clinical performances in the 3-1 home-series win over England, India’s then-head coach Ravi Shastri called Washington India's “premier” all-rounder for the future and advised him to prioritise his fitness - his career has been marred by injuries. 

Washington batted at number three and scored 152 in Tamil Nadu’s first innings during their Ranjiu match against Delhi. He stated the team management had decided to send him up the order and said he views himself as a top-order batter. 

It is yet uncertain what role India has in mind for the 25-year-old in the Tests against NZ. They went with three specialist spin bowlers Jadeja, R. Ashwin and Kuldeep Yadav in the last test, with Axar Patel in reserve. Jadeja, Ashwin and Patel play in this team as all-rounders. 

Washington is probably selected in the side purely as a top-order batter. Heading into the second test, India has fitness concerns over their first choice No.3 Shubman Gill, who was excluded from the first test due to a stiff neck, and Rishabh Pant, who batted twice and scored 99 in the second innings but did not keep wickets for majority of the match after picking a blow to his right knee. 

Pant had undergone surgeries in both his knees after the fatal car accident in December 2022, and skipper Rohit explained that Rishabh had been kept away from glovework “just to be a little careful about where he is at and what he is to us".