Fri Dec 06 09:49:50 UTC 2024: ## Washington Sundar Likely to Feature in Second Border-Gavaskar Test
**Adelaide, Australia:** India, leading the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 1-0 after a dominant win in the first Test, is poised to field Washington Sundar in the second Test match beginning December 6th in Adelaide. Sources within the BCCI, citing the Times of India, suggest a 90% probability of Sundar’s inclusion.
Sundar’s strong performance in the Perth Test, where he took two wickets and scored 33 runs, despite the omission of veteran spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, has cemented his place in the team’s plans. His recent form, including an unbeaten 42 and a wicket in a practice match against Prime Minister’s XI, and a highly successful New Zealand series where he was the leading wicket-taker (16 wickets), further strengthens his claim.
Despite typically batting in the lower middle order, Sundar boasts impressive batting averages (48.37) with three half-centuries in just 12 innings across seven Test matches. His bowling record is equally commendable, with 24 wickets in those same seven matches. His impressive performance has also made him a highly sought-after player, with Gujarat Titans acquiring him for ₹3.2 crore in the IPL 2025 mega auction.
The inclusion of Sundar in place of Ashwin or Jadeja will be a key strategic decision under head coach Gautam Gambhir, following the successful debuts of Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy in the first Test. The team’s performance in Adelaide will reveal whether this gamble pays off. The news of Sundar’s likely inclusion comes amidst the ICC’s sanctioning of England and New Zealand, potentially easing India’s path to the WTC final.
First Piper 