IND vs NZ: India 'panicked' and selected Washington Sundar, feels Sunil Gavaskar

Washington Sundar got to play a test match after more than three years.

Leading the series 1-0, New Zealand won a crucial toss and elected to bat first at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune, in the second test of the three-match series.

While the Kiwis are looking for a historic maiden test series win in India, the hosts aim to bounce back to level the series.

Both teams have made changes to their sides coming into the game. New Zealand have included spinner Mitchell Santner as Matt Henry has a niggle, while India have made three changes with Shubman Gill, Akash Deep and Washington Sundar coming into the playing XI.

Gill has returned after missing the first test due to neck stiffness while Sundar makes his first appearance in test cricket since March 2021. Kuldeep Yadav who impressed against England as well as Bangladesh in previous test series has been left out along with speedster Mohammed Siraj and middle-order batsman KL Raul.

Sunil Gavaskar’s thoughts on Kuldeep Yadav’s exclusion

Legendary Indian opener Sunil Gavaskar has expressed his disappointment over India’s decision to drop wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav. Gavaskar reckons that the inclusion of Washington Sundar reflects India’s concerns over their batting depth, suggesting the hosts have acted in panic.

Speaking with the broadcaster, Gavaskar said, “I do not see a lot of teams making three changes unless there are injury concerns. Washington Sundar inclusion which tells you they are worried about their batting. More than his bowling, they need his batting down the order as the cushion. Yes, there is a lot of talk about the left-handers in the New Zealand batting unit, but I would have picked Kuldeep Yadav, who can also turn it away from a left-hander.“

India and New Zealand Playing XIs for the second test

India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (WK), Sarfaraz Khan, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Ravichandran Ashwin, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah.

New Zealand: Tom Latham (C), Devon Conway, Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (WK), Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ajaz Patel, William O’Rourke

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