Washington Sundar thanks Steven Smith after India call-up

Washington Sundar (l) seen with Steven Smith in IPL AFP (file photo)

After passing the Yo-Yo test last week, Washington Sundar received his maiden India call-up on Monday. Sundar, an all-rounder from Tamil Nadu, was included in the 15-member squad for T20I series against Sri Lanka starting in December. Sundar sounded elated and excited with this development and thanked Australian skipper Steven Smith for his success so far.

Sundar played for Rising Pune Supergiant in IPL 2017 under Smith s captaincy.

Speaking to Cricbuzz, Sundar said: "Not many captains would play an off-spinner for 11 consecutive games. We have seen very few captains do that in the IPL level. He has shown a lot of belief in me. He threw the ball to me in the first six overs a lot of times. I'm very lucky and thankful to him and the management. Getting an opportunity at such a big stage at this level I really owe a lot to the management and the captain."

On receiving maiden India call-up

"I feel very, very happy. One of my dad's friends informed (about the selection). I didn't know actually, I didn't see the news and someone called and told me.

"More than me, my parents are really happy because any parent would want their son to go places in his life. Obviously at this stage if I'm able to reach the top playing for India, they would be really happy."

On clearing Yo-Yo test

"I kind of had it at the back of my mind that I might be called up, I had that belief. I didn't really do anything different. I had just been working harder on my conditioning. After I failed, I went back and I just wanted to work even harder on this aspect especially and cleared it couple of days back.

On his ambitions going ahead

"I'm just preparing, working hard, trusting my preparation and enjoying every time I step into the field. I think I want to do the same even now because I got a call-up at such a young age. I don't want to do anything different now, I just want to stick to the things I've been doing from the time I started playing cricket. I will just enjoy the game and trust my preparation. I just want to bowl and perform well and win a game for my country. That would be my utmost aim."