In a surprising move, Washington Sundar was included in the Indian squad for the second Test against New Zealand, replacing wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav. However, former India player and coach Sridharan Sriram reveals that the decision was actually not that shocking, as Gambhir had always believed in the all-rounder's potential and versatility. His career-best 7/59 performance in his first Test match in four years proved Gambhir right, as Washington's spin bowling led India to a dominant victory. Despite facing a string of injuries and confusion about his role, Washington's comeback to Test cricket was a smashing success thanks to Gambhir's faith in him.
Gambhir's Belief Propels Washington Sundar's Return to Test Cricket
In a recent development, Washington Sundar was unexpectedly included in the Indian squad for the second Test against New Zealand, replacing Kuldeep Yadav. This move, initially perceived as surprising, was in fact the culmination of a long-held belief by former Indian cricketer and coach Sridharan Sriram.
Sriram's Faith in Sundar
Sriram, who worked closely with Sundar during his time as India's fielding coach, had always been a strong advocate of the all-rounder's potential. He believed that Sundar's versatility, combining effective spin bowling with solid batting skills, made him a valuable asset. Despite facing a string of injuries and uncertainty about his role, Sriram remained confident in Sundar's abilities.
Sundar's Career-Best Performance
Sundar's inclusion in the Test squad was finally justified with his career-best performance in the match. He claimed 7 wickets for 59 runs, becoming the first Indian bowler to achieve this feat in a Test match in four years. His spin bowling proved crucial in India's dominant victory, validating Gambhir's faith in him.
Top 5 FAQs
Q1: Why was Washington Sundar included in the Indian squad? A1: Former India coach Sridharan Sriram had always believed in Sundar's potential and versatility.
Q2: What was Sundar's performance in the second Test against New Zealand? A2: He claimed 7 wickets for 59 runs, becoming the first Indian bowler to achieve this feat in a Test match in four years.
Q3: What was Sriram's role in Sundar's success? A3: Sriram worked closely with Sundar as India's fielding coach and was instrumental in his development as an all-rounder.
Q4: What were the challenges Sundar faced before his Test comeback? A4: He faced a series of injuries and uncertainty about his role in the team.
Q5: What is Sundar's current status in the Indian team? A5: Sundar is considered a valuable asset due to his all-round abilities and is expected to play a key role in India's future Test matches.
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