"Australia Shaking, one of the Gabba heroes is back" - Fans hail Washington Sundar for brilliant seven-wicket haul in IND vs NZ 2nd Test 2024

Team India spinner Washington Sundar made a spectacular return to Test cricket with his maiden five-wicket haul on the opening day (October 24) of the second Test against New Zealand in Pune. The 25-year-old was drafted into the playing XI in place of Kuldeep Yadav, leading to much debate at the start of the day.

However, after fellow Tamil Nadu off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin picked up the first three Kiwi wickets, it was Sundar's show all the way. With New Zealand coasting at 197/3, he picked up the next seven wickets to finish with incredible figures of 7/59 in 23.1 overs.

Sundar had not played a Test for India since March 2021 in the home series against England. He had picked up only six wickets in his four Tests until the ongoing clash.

Yet, his form with bat and ball has been exemplary with 152 runs and six wickets in Tamil Nadu's 2024 Ranji Trophy encounter against Delhi last week.

Fans on Twitter were overjoyed with Sundar's game-changing spell against New Zealand and expressed their elation with the following reactions:

Fans continued praising Sundar for his outstanding spell with one saying:

"Washington Sundar makes a remarkable comeback to Test cricket, showcasing his brilliance on the field once again."

"What a day Washington Sundar is having, his outstanding spell changed the match for India. He was simply amazing today, bowled beauty for beauty," a fan tweeted.

"Team India got the Successor of Ravichandran Ashwin in Test and his name is Washington Sundar," said a fan.

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Washington Sundar's heroics helps India recover from a precarious position

After losing a seemingly crucial toss on a dry Pune wicket, Team India was in trouble when New Zealand moved to 197/3 minutes from tea.

However, Sundar produced a beauty to remove the in-form Rachin Ravindra for 65 and the floodgates opened with that wicket. He picked up the next six wickets and the final seven, with five of them clean-bowled to spark a sensational Indian comeback.

New Zealand lost their final seven wickets for only 62 runs to fold for 259 after looking good for much more.

Sundar's 7/59 was the joint-third-best figures for an Indian bowler against New Zealand in Tests.

Having suffered a rare home defeat in the series opener at Bengaluru, India was in desperate need of a turnaround and Sundar's spell will likely be that should they go to win the contest.