Former India pacer Zaheer Khan was all praise for debutant Washington Sundar after he dismissed danger man Steve Smith for 36 in the Brisbane Test on Day 1.
Zaheer Khan Praises Washington Sundar
Zaheer Khan recalls the moment of Washington Sundar receiving the cap from his senior R Ashwin. Former speedster Zaheer quotes that Ashwin passes the secrete mantra for dismissing Steve Smith.
All-rounder Washington Sundar on Friday became the 301st cricketer to represent India in the longest format of the game. He made his Test debut memorable by getting the prized wicket of Steve Smith who had scored a hundred in the previous match in Sydney.
What a moment for Washington Sundar! His first Test wicket is the superstar Steve Smith! #OhWhatAFeeling@Toyota_Aus | #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/ZWNJsn0QNN
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 15, 2021
“It seemed like Ashwin gave Washington Sundar the guru-mantra on how to dismiss Steve Smith, along with his cap, about the line to be bowled in these conditions. We saw that he was able to get the ball to drift like Ashwin although he is quicker in the air than Ashwin,” Zaheer said on Sony Sports Network.
Washington dismissed Steve Smith
Washington, filling in for R Ashwin, didn’t disappoint his senior mate as he got rid of the danger man Steve Smith for 36, keeping the leg-side trap on just like Ashwin did for the right-hander throughout the three Tests.
Smith, who was looking good for another big knock in the series, flicked one only to give an easy catch to Rohit Sharma, stationed at short mid-wicket, off Sundar’s bowling.
The former Indian left-arm pointed out that Sundar could turn more lethal in the second innings as the pitch might offer more turn.
“The line which he bowls to the right-handers, he will give trouble to them, especially when his faster deliveries get grip from the pitch. Then his straighter ones can prove to be even better. So, I believe when he comes in the second innings, and there is help like that in the wicket, he will cause a lot of problems.
But the way he bowled his 22 overs, considering that there was not that much help from the pitch the way we have normally seen so far on this tour, I feel it was a very good day for him,” Zaheer further said.
