IND vs NZ: Gavaskar reacts as Doull says Washington Sundar brought in as India unhappy with Ashwin after 1st Test

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IND vs NZ: New Zealand commentator and former cricketer Simon Doull reckoned that Washington Sundar was brought in the India playing eleven for the second Test in Pune as Ravichandran Ashwin did not bowl well in the opening Test in Bengaluru which India won by eight wickets.

Washington Sundar was added to the India Test squad after their defeat at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Sunday. The 25-year-old came up with a thumping performance in his first Ranji Trophy 2024-25 outing against Delhi. The Tamil Nadu all-rounder scored 152 runs in the only innings he batted and also picked six wickets in the match.

Sundar, who played his last Test in March 2021, was straightaway inducted in the India playing eleven for the second test against New Zealand as Kuldeep Yadav was dropped and Axar Patel was asked to wait on the bench.

Doull opined that an off-spinner in Washington Sundar was brought in as Ashwin could not impress against New Zealand in Bengaluru. However, he backed the veteran cricketer and confidently said that the 38-year-old will bowl in spin-friendly conditions in Pune.

"Washington Sundar, coming off runs in domestic cricket, straightaway is in the XI. Does that tell me they are not happy with how Ashwin bowled? But they are bringing in another off-spinner because he (Ashwin) didn't bowl well in the first test. I will tell you what, he will bowl well here," Simon Doull told the broadcasters on Thursday, October 24.

However, Sunil Gavaskar had a different opinion. Decoding Sundar inclusion, Gavaskar said India are worried about their batting, and the southpaw's presence in the eleven would give them a cushion. The former great also stated that India pressed the panic button by making as many as three changes.

"I don't see a lot of teams making three changes unless there are injury concerns. Washington Sundar inclusion which actually 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," Gavaskar told the broadcasters.

Simon Doull also questioned India dropping KL Rahul. He said, "I don't think they have pressed the panic button. It just surprises me a little bit. There were press conferences before the tour about backing players, backing their ability and all of a sudden, after one Test match, you are saying the guy who was good enough in the first Test match is now not good enough. Okay, Sarfaraz knocked the door down with that big 150. But, you are all of a sudden not backing the guy that you backed in Test match No. 1," Doull said.

Really surprised India had to make three changes: Anil Kumble

Former India captain Anil Kumble was also puzzled by India's decision to make three changes after the defeat in the first Test. He expressed surprise at Washington Sundar's inclusion straightaway into the playing eleven despite Axar Patel being in the squad from the first Test. He also sympathised with Kuldeep Yadav and KL Rahul.

"Under pressure, bowled out for 46. You expected things to happen and it didn't. He (Kuldeep) would have wanted the ball in hand here. He will be disappointed with that," Anil Kumble said.

"I thought KL Rahul was at No. 6, but he has been moved up and down the order. Yes, on form, Sarfaraz gets the opportunity. In the scheme of things, as long as the messaging for the three missing players is clear, it's fine.

"Otherwise, I am really surprised that India had to make 3 changes. You really had Axar Patel, who probably won the Test series in India not just with the ball, but with the bat. I am a bit surprised that Washington had come in and straightaway made it to the playing XI," he added.