Washington Sundar had been frozen out of the Indian Test team after making four appearances in 2021 but since 2024, he has pretty much become a regular in the side. This has especially been the case since Gautam Gambhir became head coach of the team, with the former India opener prioritising all-rounders in the eleven and Sundar fitting perfectly into that approach. Sundar has said that being an all-rounder has been "a blessing" after the fourth day of the second Test between India and West Indies. "It's just been a blessing honestly. To be an all-rounder is really heartening because you are always in the game. You have a great opportunity to make an impact for the team with both skill-sets and eventually, win the game for the team," said Sundar in the press-conference after the day's play "I mean, I have got to thank God for all the skills he's blessed me with," he said. Sundar also said that historically teams that have done well in Test cricket tend to have a few great all-rounders. "Obviously, in Test cricket, it's better to have as many all-rounders. I mean, if you go back and see, most of the teams who've dominated Test cricket for many years. I think they've had good quality all-rounders in their line-up and I'd say we've got some really quality all-rounders in our team as well. "So yes, it's just an opportunity to either do something special with the bat or the ball given whatever the team requires, whatever the situation requires and eventually, win the game for the country," he said. As many as 13 out of the 20 wickets that India picked in the second Test in New Delhi went to spin troika and Kuldeep Yadav has a match haul of 8 for 186 in 55.5 overs across two innings. Washington got a wicket bowling 36 overs overs in the game while veteran Ravindra Jadeja claimed four wickets in a total of 52 overs. "I think he (Kuldeep) bowled really well. He hit those areas really well and being a wrist spinner, he probably got a bit of purchase here and there as well and that definitely helped," said Washington.
