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Washington Sundar lauded Ravichandran Ashwin for sharing the nuances of their shared craft.
IND vs NZ, 2nd Test: Washington Sundar bbeing congratulated by Ravichandran Ashwin and Team India (AP)
Washington Sundar stole the show on the first day of the second Test against New Zealand with career-best bowling figures of 7-59 to bundle out visitors for 259 at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune on Thursday.
All-rounder Sundar, who was added to India’s squad for the remainder of the series on Sunday, replaced Kuldeep Yadav and went on to prove his mettle in the game. Last match’s centurion Rachin Ravindra (65) became his first scalp of the day as Sundar broke his fourth wicket partnership with Daryl Mitchell before unleashing his spin brilliance.
Veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin bagged the first three wickets of the day as Sundar went on to snare the remaining seven wickets for India.
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Washington, whose 7 for 59 replicates senior off-spinner Ashwin’s best figures in an innings in Tests, hoped to play a lot more games alongside his Tamil Nadu teammate as well as Ravindra Jadeja.
“We communicated a lot and they brought in a lot of qualities, skill sets and experience. That really helps for someone who is playing along with them,” he said.
“It definitely helped me today and it is special to be playing in the game in which both of them are part of as well. I hope we will get to play a lot more games together,” he said.
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Washington also lauded Ashwin for sharing the nuances of their shared craft.
“It’s quite rare but he (Ashwin) is very kind, especially in that perspective. Not just me, but no matter who goes and asks him for ideas about bowling or any technicalities, he’s always there to help everyone,” he added.
It reflected in the day’s proceedings. Ashwin broke through the New Zealand top-order before Washington feasted on the middle and lower-middle-order as India bundled out the Kiwis for 259 in their first dig.
“The ball became very soft. So, we had to sort of give more speed and more body into the ball, that was something me and Ash (Ashwin) kept talking about,” Washington revealed.
“Ashwin said he did that himself in the spell after lunch, that’s how he got (Devon) Conway out. We spoke about it and (I’m) glad I was able to do it,” he added.
(With inputs from Agencies)
- Location :
Pune (Poona) [Poona], India
