Washington Sundar was handed an unexpected Test debut on Friday against Australia in Brisbane and got the all-important wicket of Steve Smith to mark the occasion.
India’s T20 specialist off-spinner was asked to stay back by the team management after the white-ball series to help as a net bowler but injuries to key players, including senior pro Ashwin Ravichandran, meant he was playing his first Test.
“I have always felt that my skills are very good with red ball. I have bowled a lot of overs in first class cricket and first division league in Chennai as well. I was just waiting for this opportunity and last couple of months, we were here, I did get to bowl a lot of overs and improve upon my skills,” the bowler said at the end of the first day’s play.
Australia ended the day 274/5 as the markedly inexperienced Indian bowling attack kept the team afloat.
Washington hasn’t played first-class cricket since 2017 though, and there were questions over him having the stamina to bowl long spells that a team expects from its spinners.
“Like any bowler, I love bowling a lot of overs. It’s just so much fun to bowl a lot of overs. Give me 20, 30, 40 or 50 overs. We had some plans going for Steve Smith and (Marnus) Labuschagne and I am very glad they worked. The first wicket definitely felt good,” he said in answer.
Brisbane Test, day one: Hurt by injuries and dropped catches, India somehow manage to stay afloat
Washington kept Smith quiet for two overs and in the 13th delivery got him caught at short mid-wicket.
“We did have some plans for Smith and it’s a different game altogether. Last game was different, conditions were different and I had to bowl good balls over and over again. It happened (the dismissal) and it’s great.”
The former India U-19 World Cupper feels the wicket was good for batting and it was great effort to restrict to the hosts.
“There was a little bit of spongy bounce till lunch and the wicket was good and bowlers did a good job to restrict Australia to 5 for 274.”
Th spinner added that the young bunch, many of whom are playing their first Test in the series, are a self-motivated lot despite being thrown at the deep end of the pool due to a series of injuries to senior players.
“If you see everyone, they have all done well at the first-class level. More than experience, guys were all excited. Nattu (T Natarajan) bowled really well and he brought his value to the team.”
He started as a specialist batsman at the U-19 India level before turning into a specialist spinner and now this Australia tour could be the making of an all-rounder.
“I thank the team management for keeping me through the Test series. I felt it would really help me get better with my skill level – both in my batting and my bowling with the kind of facilities you get here.”
His father named him Washington after his own mentor, who used to buy books, uniform for him and no wonder the 21-year-old is filled with gratitude for his family and their sacrifices.
“The last 24 hours have been amazing for me. The team management asked me to be ready to play. I think I should dedicate this to my family as they sacrificed a lot.
“Without their support, it would have been impossible for me to play Test cricket, especially make debut in a place like Australia,” he said.
With PTI Inputs
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