'You don’t need an artiste like Kuldeep' - Sanjay Manjrekar defends Washington Sundar's inclusion in XI for 2nd NZ Test

With Washington Sundar being incorporated into the mix ahead of the second Test between India and New Zealand in Pune, it was almost expected that he would find a spot in the XI. It was also evident that he would be replacing Kuldeep Yadav, which could be considered a like-for-like replacement if their dominant hand is taken out of the picture. However, there was another wing of individuals who expressed the need to give more gametime to Kuldeep, who did not really do anything wrong during the first Test at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Former Indian cricketer, Sanjay Manjrekar, defended the Indian think tank post it was made official at the toss that Kuldeep was indeed rested for Sundar to slot in.

Check the post below: 

Common sense selection. In-form seamer in. When pitch is offering a lot, you don’t need an artiste like Kuldeep, a tall, quick, finger spinner will do. 👍#INDvNZ

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) October 24, 2024

Manjrekar labelled the move as a rational one due to a couple of aspects; form and Sundar's unique bowling attributes coupled with his physical traits. The track at the Maharashtra Cricket Association is made up of black soil which is renowned for the purchase it provides to the spinners from early on in the contest, which was something which Manjrekar held as an accountable factor as well.

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Sundar makes international comeback in red-ball format after 43 months 

The 25-year-old bowling all-rounder last played for India in the longest format in 2021 in the fourth Test of England's tour of India in Ahmedabad. Having validated himself as a white-ball player, Sundar has found it tough to contend for a spot in the red-ball side.

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His recent performance for Tamil Nadu in the ongoing edition of the Ranji Trophy earned widespread praise and was quite likely one of the main reasons for him to getting called up to India's squad. A sumptous 152 was followed by three-wicket hauls in both of Delhi's innings.