Sanjay Manjrekar and Sundar-Ashwin. (Photo Source: Twitter)
Washington Sundar came back to the Test arena for the first time since March 2021 and made an instant impact by picking up seven wickets on Day 1 of the second Test between India and New Zealand at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune on Thursday, October 24.
The Tamil Nadu all-rounder not only registered his best figures in first-class cricket (7/59), but he also went to the top of the list of bowlers with best figures in the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) cycle for India. While some experts questioned his selection ahead of more experienced spinners like Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel, Sanjay Manjrekar had voiced his support. Sundar validated the faith the selectors and the management showed in him as he rattled the New Zealand batters with his skilful display of off-spin bowling.
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While Manjrekar praised Sundar’s exceptional spell of bowling that bowled out the Kiwis for 259 on Day 1, the former India cricketer said that it was too early to consider the 25-year-old as the successor of Ravichandran Ashwin.
“On a pitch that is abrasive, all you need is accurate, fast spinners. I mean, spinners who bowl the ball quickly. And that is when you don’t need the artistry of Kuldeep Yadav So it made a lot of sense, and, Washi has the advantage of being the quickest now, you know, because he’s bowling regularly at 95 because of his higher release point, and it was pretty accurate. So the right kind of bowler. So horses for courses really and India seem to now have spinners for the kind, turning the spin is going to take,” Sanjay Manjrekar said on ESPNcricinfo.
Ashwin hasn’t been at his best in the series against New Zealand so far. In the first innings of the first Test, he picked up a solitary wicket and went for 94 runs in 16 overs. In the second innings, captain Rohit Sharma brought him into the attack when the tourists had all but chased down a 107-run target. However, Manjrekar has backed the veteran to bounce back strongly and said that his career is far from coming to an end.
“To be very honest in that series against Bangladesh and the one before that and even in the first test, although the returns weren’t great, I just don’t see a bowler whose end is near or you start sort of looking out for a replacement yet, so I think it’s a little premature, especially in Indian conditions. I think it will continue to have enough for, quite a bit of time to come,” Manjrekar said.
Washi has started out well, but it is just one performance: Sanjay Manjrekar
Manjrekar pointed out that Sundar was quick and accurate and his subtle variations wreaked havoc as the pitch already had a lot to offer for the spinners.
“Washi has started out well, but it is just one performance. What you need, really. Although it seems like it’s easy to turn up and bowl on, you know, turning pitches. And then you wonder why foreign spinners don’t get as much from the pitch. So you need to have certain qualities that Washi showed, which are quick, accurate, and just a little variation to get those wickets because the pitches are always gonna help. So, yes, by just one sample that we’ve seen this game, there is promise there,” Manjrekar concluded.
Also Read: ‘What an inspired selection’ – Sunil Gavaskar does U-turn on Washington Sundar’s selection after spinner bags seven-for
After dismissing New Zealand for 259, India finished Day 1 at 16/1 with Rohit being the only Indian wicket to fall for a nine-ball duck. He became Tim Southee’s victim in India’s third over.