Sundar in India squad vs NZ: Who could he replace in 2nd Test Playing 11?

25-year-old Sundar's call-up comes after his knock of 152 for Tamil Nadu in the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy match against Delhi. What will be India's Playing 11 vs New Zealand in the second Test? Check here

On the back of a superb performance in a Ranji Trophy match against Delhi, Tamil Nadu spin-bowling all-rounder Washington Sundar has been added to India’s squad for the remaining two Test matches against New Zealand. After a crushing defeat in the Bengaluru Test, Sundar’s inclusion raises questions over veteran spinner Ashwin’s place in India’s Playing 11.  Check India vs New Zealand 2nd Test Day 1 LIVE SCORE and MATCH UPDATES HERE

 

The 25-year-old’s call-up comes after his knock of 152 for Tamil Nadu in the ongoing Ranji Trophy match against Delhi.

 

Ashwin has been a match-winner for India in home Test matches. However, his lacklustre performance in the first Test against New Zealand might prompt the management to reconsider his spot in the XI.

 

Why Ashwin could be dropped for the 2nd Test vs New Zealand?

 

In a rare instance, 38-year-old Ashwin failed to claim crucial wickets at home when India needed him most. India was bowled out for 46, their lowest total at home, and Ashwin was expected to contain the run flow and dismiss the Kiwi top-order batters, which included three left-handers.

 

However, the New Zealand batters executed a well-thought-out plan against the ace Indian spinner, adopting a counter-attacking strategy that prevented Ashwin from settling into a rhythm.

 

In New Zealand’s first innings, Devon Conway scored 30 runs off 27 balls against Ashwin, hitting three fours and two sixes. Rachin Ravindra, who struck a century in the first innings, also played Ashwin comfortably, scoring 30 runs off 35 balls, including three fours and a six. Rachin made effective use of the crease and rotated the strike well, showcasing his preparation to face Ashwin. 

Ashwin vs New Zealand batters (1st innings) in Bengaluru Test vs New Zealand
Batter name	Balls	Runs	Wicket	Wide	No ball	Economy	Fours	Sixes
Tom Latham	6	1	0	0	0	1	0	0
Tim Southee	10	25	0	0	0	15	2	2
Daryl Mitchell	14	8	0	0	0	3.43	1	0
Devon Conway	27	30	1	0	0	6.67	3	2
Will Young	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Rachin Ravindra	35	30	0	0	0	5.14	3	1

 

When the BlackCaps were seven wickets down with 233 on the board, Southee joined Rachin at the crease and launched an attack on Ashwin, scoring 25 runs off just 10 balls (two sixes and two fours).

 

The Kiwi batters’ approach in the first innings influenced captain Rohit Sharma’s decision-making in the second innings, as Ashwin was brought into the attack as the last bowler. 

Ashwin vs New Zealand batters in 2nd innings of Bengaluru Test
Batter name	Balls	Runs	Wicket	Wide	No ball	Economy	Fours	Sixes
Will Young	9	6	0	0	0	4	1	0
Rachin Ravindra	3	0	0	0	0	Nil	0	0

 

How Sundar could solve India’s batting woes?

 

Sundar made his Test debut in the historic Gabba Test in Brisbane in 2021. In that match, Sundar rose to the occasion, scoring 62 runs and taking 3 wickets in the second innings. 

Washington Sundar career stats (Tests)
Matches	Runs	Highest score	Batting Average	Hundreds	Wickets	Best bowling in a match	Bowling Average	Catches
4	265	96*	66.25	0	6	Mar-89	49.83	1

 

 

Washington Sundar career stats (Tests) innings by innings
Bat1	Bat2	Runs	Wkts	Conc	Ct	St	Opposition	Ground
62	22	84	4	169	1	0	v Australia	Brisbane
85*	0	85	0	99	0	0	v England	Chennai
0	DNB	0	1	1	0	0	v England	Ahmedabad
96*	-	96	1	30	0	0	v England	Ahmedabad

 

Since then, he has represented India in three more Test matches. Though he did not claim wickets in those matches, playing alongside Ashwin, he contributed 85 and 96 runs with the bat against England. Sundar has played four Tests, 22 One Day Internationals and 52 Twenty20 Internationals. 

If not Ashwin, then which bowler could pave the way for Sunday in India's Playing 11 for 2nd Test?

 

If the Indian team management decides not to drop Ravichandran Ashwin for the second Test against New Zealand, another bowler who might make way for Washington Sundar is Kuldeep Yadav. Considering India's lower-order batting vulnerabilities, Sundar's all-round capabilities could be advantageous. Replacing Kuldeep with Sundar would bolster the batting depth without significantly compromising the bowling attack.

 

Probable India Playing XI for the Second Test:

 

1. Rohit Sharma
2. Yashasvi Jaiswal
3. Shubman Gill
4. Virat Kohli
5. Sarfaraz Khan
6. Rishabh Pant
7. Ravindra Jadeja
8. Washington Sundar
9. Ravichandran Ashwin
10. Jasprit Bumrah
11. Mohammed Siraj/Akash Deep

 

India vs New Zealand Test series full schedule
Match	Date and Day	Time (IST)	Venue
1st Test	Oct 16-20, Wednesday	New Zealand won by 8 wickets	M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
2nd Test	Oct 24-28, Thursday	09:30:00	MCA Stadium, Pune
3rd Test	Nov 1-5, Friday	09:30:00	Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai