India Vs New Zealand 2nd Test: Washington Sundar Reflects On His Historic 7-Wicket Haul On Day 1

Washington Sundar 7-wicket haul vs New Zealand: The Tamil Nadu all-rounder was on-song on Day 1 against the Blackcaps, as his 7 wickets propelled India to bowl them out for 259. Read below.

Washington Sundar 7-wicket haul vs New Zealand: Washington Sundar's surprise inclusion has not only surprised cricketing fans, but also New Zealand as well, as his dazzling deliveries outsmarted; outwitted; and outplayed the Kiwi batters on all fronts on Day 1 of the 2nd Test match between India and New Zealand at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune.

The Tamil Nadu all-rounder, who was included specially for this Test match, was coming off a memorable Ranji Trophy 2024-25 match against Delhi, where he scored a magnificent 152 alongside his 6 wickets across two innings in Tamil Nadu's innings-defeat win against Delhi. 

In this Test match, he was picked over India's prime white-ball spinner Kuldeep Yadav, and the move paid dividends, as he recorded the figures of 7/59 to rattle the batting order of Kiwis.

READ HERE | India Vs New Zealand 2nd Test: Spinners Dominate Day 1; Hosts Trail Kiwis By 243 Runs At Stumps, Day 1

India are in a much-better position in this Test match, thanks to Washington Sundar's exploits, and will be hoping to cross 350 runs on Day 2 in-order to put visitors under severe pressure on a turning track.

'Living The Dream': Washington Sundar Reflects On Memorable 2nd Test Performance Vs New Zealand

"It's amazing to be living the dream. I manifested this to be happening in this series. I wasn't part of the first Test. I was called up in the squad and was given the opportunity to play in the XI in this Test and a big thank you to the coach and the captain. To be honest, I wanted to be very accurate no matter what situation I was bowling or to which batter I was bowling. It's God's plan. I tried to be consistent and let the pitch do it's work," said Washington Sundar.

"We genuinely felt it will spin from day one. It didn't spin in the morning session. There wasn't even moisture but it started spinning after the lunch break. Certainly Rachin Ravindra because he was batting well and they were going well. It was great for me to get his wicket before tea and also Mitchell which I got after tea," he added.