Washington Sundar Included in Test Squad to Counter New Zealand’s Left-Handers, Says Ryan ten Doeschate

Washington Sundar Added In the Test Squad

India’s assistant coach, Ryan ten Doeschate, recently revealed that the decision to bring Washington Sundar into the Test squad for the series against New Zealand was strategic. Washington was included after his impressive performance in the Ranji Trophy, where he scored a stunning 150 runs against Delhi and took six wickets. His addition aims to strengthen India’s bowling attack, especially with New Zealand fielding multiple left-handed batters.

Washington Sundar’s Key Role Against Left-Handers

According to ten Doeschate, Washington’s inclusion was motivated by the need to have an off-spinner who can take the ball away from New Zealand’s left-handed batsmen. He stated, “New Zealand has four left-handers in their playing XI. We want to have the option of turning the ball away from them.” While India already has Axar Patel, a left-arm spinner, Washington’s off-spin provides an added dimension. Ten Doeschate emphasized that the decision was not out of desperation but part of a well-thought-out strategy, explaining, “We have a lot of faith in the spinners we have, but we want to be fully prepared for the conditions.”

Washington has been around the white-ball squad for quite some time, earning a reputation for his disciplined bowling. His recent domestic performances made a strong case for his inclusion in the Test format as well. “It’s great to see players getting rewarded for their Ranji Trophy performances,” Doeschate added, signaling that consistent performances at the domestic level do not go unnoticed.

No Concerns Over R. Ashwin’s Fitness

With the inclusion of Washington Sundar, there was speculation about R. Ashwin’s fitness. However, ten Doeschate was quick to dismiss any injury concerns surrounding India’s premier off-spinner. He assured the media that Ashwin is fully fit and remains a vital part of the team. “Ashwin is fine, and there are no injury worries with him. We just want to have more options against New Zealand’s strong left-handed batting lineup,” he clarified.

Learning from the Bengaluru Loss

India went 0-1 down in the three-match series after losing the first Test in Bengaluru. Captain Rohit Sharma admitted that the team misjudged the conditions, which caught them off guard. Ten Doeschate echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of better preparation for the second Test in Pune. He acknowledged that the team’s assessment of the Bengaluru pitch wasn’t far off but still led to the wrong tactical approach.

“We’ll make sure our preparation is spot-on for Pune. We got the conditions slightly wrong in Bengaluru, but we’re working hard to ensure that doesn’t happen again,” he said. With Pune’s pitch already undergoing maintenance under the scorching sun, India’s coaching staff is keen to provide a more accurate assessment this time around.

Selection Dilemmas Ahead of the Second Test

As the team prepares for the second Test, selection choices loom large. With Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill recovering from minor injuries, and Sarfaraz Ahmed’s strong performance in the first Test, India faces some tough decisions. Ten Doeschate highlighted that Sarfaraz’s 150-run knock has certainly made the selectors think, while KL Rahul’s recent struggles might put his place in jeopardy.

The bowling department also faces similar challenges, with Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep vying for a spot. Siraj’s performance in the second innings of the first Test was impressive, and Akash, who missed out, is not far from making his return to the playing XI.

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