Star all-rounder Washington Sundar has earned a call-up to India’s updated squad for the second and third Test matches against New Zealand, following his impressive 152-run innings in the Ranji Trophy.
In an official statement on Sunday, the BCCI announced, “The Men’s Selection Committee has added Mr. Washington Sundar to India’s squad for the remainder of the IDFC First Bank Test series against New Zealand.” They also mentioned that Sundar will join the team in Pune ahead of the second Test.
Washington’s standout performance came during the second round of the Ranji Trophy, where he scored a brilliant 152 runs for Tamil Nadu against Delhi. Coming in at No. 3, he played a scintillating knock of 152 off 269 balls, helping his team surpass 600 runs.
Sundar has had a fluctuating presence in the Indian team; his last red-ball appearance was in 2021 during a Test series against England. He made his debut in the memorable Brisbane Test against Australia in January 2021, contributing to India’s victory despite numerous challenges. In total, Sundar has played four Tests, accumulating 265 runs and taking six wickets.
Earlier this year, he was part of India’s squad for the latter half of a five-match home series against England but did not feature in the Playing XI for any match. He was subsequently released from the squad to participate in the Ranji Trophy ahead of the fifth Test.
No other changes have been made to the squad announced previously. India suffered a defeat against New Zealand in the first Test in Bengaluru, where the Blackcaps successfully chased a target of 107 runs with eight wickets in hand, marking India’s first Test loss to New Zealand at home in 36 years.
The second Test is scheduled to begin on October 24 at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune, with the third Test set to take place at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai starting November 1.
India’s updated squad for the second and third Tests against New Zealand: Rohit Sharma (C), Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Akash Deep, Washington Sundar.
