Sundar thrilled with India Test debut

BRISBANE: Washington Sundar, prior to his unexpected Test debut on Friday against Australia, had bowled over 285 overs in first-class cricket and after dismissing Steve Smith, the Tamil Nadu off-spinner is ready to bowl 50 in an innings if that’s what the side wants of him.

India’s T20 specialist off-spinner was asked to stay back by the team management after the whiteball series to help as a net bowler but injuries to key players, including senior pro Ravichandran Ashwin, landed him in a mouth-watering duel with Smith which he won hands down.

“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,” he said after first day’s play. Washington kept Smith quiet for two overs and off the 13th delivery got him caught at short mid-wicket. “We did have some plans for Smith. 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.”

Pacer Saini taken for scans

The injury-plagued Indian team took another hit on Friday when pacer Navdeep Saini was forced off the field due to groin pain and taken for scans. The 28-year-old Saini had bowled five balls of his eighth, and the innings 36th, over during the second session when he had to walk off the field because of the pain. With this, his further participation in the match has been thrown into serious doubt.

“Navdeep Saini has complained of pain in his groin. He is currently being monitored by the BCCI medical team,” read a short statement from the BCCI on the one-Test-old bowler’s condition.