Washington Sundar was the one bowler New Zealand dreaded in Pune Test: Saba Karim

Former India cricketer Saba Karim praised Washington Sundar as India's standout performer in an otherwise disappointing showing against New Zealand in the Pune Test, with Sundar's impressive 11-wicket haul offering hope for his future role in the Test side.

In Short

• Sundar’s 11 wickets anchored India’s otherwise faltering bowling effort
• Saba Karim hailed Sundar’s performance amid India’s lackluster bowling
• India’s batting struggles overshadowed Sundar’s bowling heroics in Pune

Former India cricketer Saba Karim praised Washington Sundar as the standout performer in India’s bowling lineup during the ongoing Pune Test against New Zealand. With India already trailing after losing the Bengaluru Test, the team’s fate appears similar in this second match. Amid struggles in both batting and bowling, Sundar’s individual brilliance has provided a rare positive, as he claimed 11 wickets across two innings so far.

Speaking to JioCinema, Karim noted that Sundar’s impressive showing might strengthen his case for a permanent spot in India’s Test side. India’s selectors included the 25-year-old Sundar in the squad for the New Zealand series after his remarkable Ranji Trophy season for Tamil Nadu. His immediate placement in the playing eleven for the Pune Test raised some eyebrows, especially with notable players like KL Rahul and Mohammed Siraj missing out. However, Sundar justified the selectors’ confidence by taking a stunning seven-wicket haul in the first innings, followed by four more wickets in the second innings.

IND vs NZ, 2nd Test Day 2: Highlights

"It seems only Washington Sundar was the only bowler who New Zealand batters have been dreading, because the height plays a big factor and maybe that's the reason why he has been drafted in the side. The pace he generates and the bounce he is able to exert is really good...I think he has been increasingly deceptive in his trajectory to beat the batters," Saba Karim said.

"He has taken a long time to get back into this Test side, but I think this Test match performance should really embolden Washington Sundar's career from here on," Saba Karim added.

Apart from Sundar, only Ravichandran Ashwin made an impact with the ball in the first innings, picking up 3 for 64, followed by another wicket in the second innings. Despite Sundar’s commendable efforts, India’s batting collapse once again put the team at a disadvantage. After New Zealand set a first-innings score of 259, India could muster only 156 runs in response, exposing weaknesses in their batting order.

By stumps on Day 2, New Zealand had extended their lead over India by 301 runs, increasing the pressure on the Rohit Sharma-led side to prevent another defeat. While Sundar’s performance has undoubtedly been a high point, India’s combined batting and bowling lapses have made the task of salvaging anything from this Test increasingly difficult.