On a pitch that had a lot of grass and lateral movement, Indian batters found it hard to score runs against a potent New Zealand bowling attack in the third ODI on Wednesday. Shikhar Dhawan and Shubman Gill tried hard to give the team a solid start on a difficult pitch to bat on. However, they couldn’t stay at the crease for too long.
The first wicket fell in the 9th over as Milne accounted for Shubman Gill’s wicket for the score of 13(22). He, later, also had Dhawan (28) in the 13th over and wickets kept falling at regular intervals, thereafter. Shreyas Iyer continued his fine form with a solid 49-run knock in just 59 balls, including 8 fours.
However, the likes of Rishabh Pant (10) and Suryakumar Yadav (6) failed to make a substantial contribution. Shreyas Iyer’s (49) wicket in the 26th over meant India were in all sorts of trouble at 121 for 5 in 25.3 overs. Coming in at 7, Sundar then took on the responsibility on his shoulders and played another gem of a knock with the bat. He tried the rebuild the innings with Deepak Hooda but the latter too fell after getting a start.
Wickets kept falling at the other end but Sundar struck crucial boundaries and kept scoreboard ticking. He hit 5 fours and 1 six en-route to his second fifty in the series. He went on to score a vital knock of 51 runs in 64 balls, helping his team notch a respectable score of 219 runs at the end of the first innings.
Sundar was the only batter in the side who could muster a half-century during the innings. The fans were in awe of the Indian all-rounder as they reacted with heart-warming tweets. Here’s a look at some of the reactions:
If you need a left-hander in the middle-order for the World Cup next year, then groom Washington Sundar for that role. Will give you 10 overs as well and can bowl in PP too..
— Venkata Krishna B (@venkatatweets) November 30, 2022
Washington Sundar will be a priceless asset to the Indian team, across all formats, going forward.
— Venkata Krishna B (@venkatatweets) November 30, 2022
Please take care of Washington Sundar. He's just 23 years old, and can be an invaluable all-round asset for years to come. Immense potential.
— Sparsh Telang (@_cricketsparsh) November 30, 2022
Have said it before, saying it again. There is NO "cricketer" in India right now who is as talented as Washington Sundar. He is a once-in-a-generation talent. https://t.co/GJmrpfl9NW
— Sreshth Shah (@sreshthx) November 25, 2022
Washington Sundar always had the potential to play white-ball knocks like this. 37* from 16 is too good! Played a couple of such knocks in IPL 2022 and now this. Good to see him delivering with the bat, exactly how he was always supposed to! #NZvIND
— Prasenjit Dey (@CricPrasen) November 25, 2022
Washington Sundar is the sweet timer of the ball. Class is written on his shots. I think he is the better batsman than Jadeja.#INDvsNZ #NZvsINDpic.twitter.com/AfTwTAM16Y
— Cricket Master (@Master__Cricket) November 30, 2022
Washington Sundar is easily one of the most promising cricketers in the world. Possibilities are immense with him, I keep saying.
— KASHISH (@crickashish217) November 30, 2022
If he stays fit, Washington Sundar should be in contention for the 2023 WC in India. Jadeja, Chahal, Washington could be the 3 spinners, combined with Bumrah and one more pacer. Also gives 6 bowling options including Pandya. #NZvsIND
— Jigar Mehta (@jigsactin) November 30, 2022
Washington Sundar se seekh lo bhai situation k according kaise bat karna hai.#NZvIND #NZvsIND #SportsYaari
— Manoj Dimri (@manoj_dimri) November 30, 2022
the only positive in this tour.#WashingtonSundar #NZvIND https://t.co/EnHdRx8tMZ
— Postsoff (@postsoff) November 30, 2022
All Washington Sundar needs to do now is to travel with a personal physio #NZvIND
— Somesh Agarwal (@someshagarwal22) November 30, 2022
Well played, Washington Sundar. What an innings. This Indian innings has three 50+ scores but it’s Sundar’s innings that might have had the biggest impact. People who bat lower down the order mustn’t be judged with the usual parameters of ‘average’. Impact is what matters.
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) November 25, 2022
Fine hand played by Washington Sundar showing yet again his batting potential. But 219 is below par score even on a bowler-friendly pitch. India will have to put up a special effort to win this match and square the series #NZvsINDonPrime #cricketonPrime
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) November 30, 2022
Meanwhile, New Zealand have made a decent start in the second innings. At the end of seven overs, the Blackcaps have managed to score 28 runs without any loss of wickets.
