Indian Test debutant Washington Sundar made sure to leave a mark with his performance on his debut day for India. The off-spinner all-rounder from Tamil Nadu decided to make his debut even more special by claiming his maiden test wicket and too of the dangerous Steve Smith on day 1 of the ongoing 4th Test match at Gabba.
From being a new bowler added as a backup to making his debut for India in the longest format of the game, the journey of Sundar has been inspirational. Earlier in the day, Sundar became India’s 301st Test cricketer and R Ashwin handed him his Test cap.
Sundar, who replaced senior spinner R Ashwin in India’s XI, impressed one and all on his debut with his tight bowling. He didn’t concede a single run of his first three overs. However, once he returned back with the ball after lunch, he bagged the prized wicket of Australia’s star batsman Steve Smith to script a memorable debut.
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
Steve Smith flicked the ball, which came spinning to his pads, towards the short midwicket region without realizing that a fielder was waiting to grab the ball. Rohit Sharma grabbed a sharp catch and helped India get rid of Steve Smith. The Australian No. 4 was dismissed after a well made 36(77).
Interestingly, the man Sundar replaced in the Playing XI, Ashwin had earlier dismissed Steve Smith thrice – Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney. And today, Steve Smith became the victim of an off-spinner for the fourth time.
Meanwhile, social media was flooded with amazing reactions from the fans. From hilarious memes to amazing tweets, fans are hailing Sundar for his incredible performance.
Here, check out the reactions of twitterati on this:
#brisbanetest #Sundar
Smith prepared for ashwin
Sundar came out of syllabus ??— engineer sahab (@iamcsengineer) January 15, 2021
Just for a moment did Smith saw ashwin in Sundar? #INDvsAUS #brisbanetest #Sundar #AUSvIND
— karthick N🇮🇳 (@yenkarthick) January 15, 2021
https://twitter.com/AlkashBaig/status/1349919027427045377?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1349919027427045377%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sportskeeda.com%2Fcricket%2Fnews-ati-sundar-twitterati-reacts-washington-sundar-picks-steve-smith-maiden-test-wicket
All 50+ scores for Smith has come in SCG on the current tour, where pitch is flat and a batting paradise #GabbaTest #AUSvIND #TeamIndia #WashingtonSundar
— Why Taylor ruined All too well ? (@MissSwiftFan) January 15, 2021
Washington #Sundar picked up a Test wicket before he conceded a Test run. And that too, Steve Smith. Amaze. #AUSvIND
— Pushpendra Dwivedi (@Pushpendra_Dw) January 15, 2021
https://twitter.com/anubhav_8947/status/1349918295374196742?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1349918295374196742%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sportskeeda.com%2Fcricket%2Fnews-ati-sundar-twitterati-reacts-washington-sundar-picks-steve-smith-maiden-test-wicket
19 dot balls and then Steve Smith’s wicket … #Sundar … Ati-sundar ??
— Karan Sethi (@karan7sethi) January 15, 2021
Sooo damn happy for @Sundarwashi5 his talent was struck only in limited overs. I have seen him personally bowling longer spells in TNCA league and Ranji trophy ! Grab it Washiii.#WashingtonSundar #INDvsAUS #BorderGavaskarTrophy
— Surendar Vijayakumar (@surendarVJK) January 15, 2021
Smart field placing by #Rahane, another excellent catch by Rohit and Sundar has taken Smith as his 1st Test victim. Trend of play has swung India’s way again. Pressure piling up on the batsmen!
Welcome to Test Cricket #WashingtonSundar#INDvsAUS #GabbaTest pic.twitter.com/zB4NCmr2jk— Raghav Acharya (@raghavacharya95) January 15, 2021
