More than three-and-a-half years after he last played a Test, Washington Sundar has been added to the Indian squad for the last two matches against New Zealand. That his addition was announced a day after he made a sparkling 152 at No. 3 for Tamil Nadu in a Ranji Trophy clash against Delhi has triggered speculation that he has been drafted in as a top-order batting cover, though that may not be the case.

With Shubman Gill having recovered completely from the stiff neck that kept him out of the eight-wicket loss in Bangalore, India actually have a headache when it comes to the batting — not with regard to whom to pick, but who to leave out. Sundar’s inclusion must therefore be viewed as an additional off-spinning option to augment R Ashwin, presumably because there are three left-handers in the New Zealand top four.