Ahead of the second Test between India and Australia in Adelaide, there are a few questions that remain to be answered. One of those questions is about India’s spin attack for the match.
India went with youngster Washington Sundar for the first Test in Perth. It was a huge surprise as Sundar was seen as the third-in-order pick among the spinners after veterans Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.
However, the team management ignored the vast experience of Ashwin and Jadeja and took a big risk by playing Sundar. The only thing going in Sudar’s favor was his good form. He is coming off a good home series against New Zealand where he was the highest wicket-taker of the series.
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Washington Sundar is all set to play the pink ball Test in Adelaide
According to a report in TOI, Washington Sundar is set to join the Indian squad for the second Test as well. This Test is also the only day-night Test of the series and will be played with the pink ball.
“There is a 90% chance that (Washington) Sundar will play in the second Test against Australia at the Adelaide Oval,” a BCCI source told TOI.
Washington Sundar is already seen as the heir apparent to India’s spin bowling attack going forward in Test cricket. The off-spinning all-rounder took 2-48 in the second innings of the Perth Test and scored 4 & 29 with the bat.
Sundar scored an unbeaten 42 and took 1-38 in the pink-ball match of the tournament against the Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra. He has shown good signs with both bat and ball. Apart from being a quality offspinner, Sundar is also a capable batsman with good technique.
Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja are likely to sit out
With Washington Sundar set to play the second Test, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja may have to sit out the second Test as well. Ashwin and Jadeja have served Indian cricket for a long time. However, the selectors took a brave decision by dropping both of them from the Playing XI.
It remains to be seen whether India play more than one spinner in Adelaide or not. Traditionally, Adelaide has been useful for spinners, however, the pink ball has undone the spinners and India may once again go with a lone spinner in the form of Sundar.
Washington Sundar in the New Zealand Tests
Washington Sundar made a comeback to Test cricket with the second Test match against New Zealand in Pune. He played the second and third Tests in Pune and Mumbai respectively and emerged as the joint-highest wicket-taker in the series.
He took 16 wickets in 2 Tests at an amazing average of just 14.12 with 2 four-wicket hauls and 1 haul with five wickets. His variations of pace and ability to extract turn surprised New Zealand. He was one of the few bright lights for India in a rather disappointing series.
