India decided to include all-rounder Washington Sundar in the squad for the New Zealand Tests despite already having four specialist spin options.
The decision was taken following the loss in the first Test encounter in Bengaluru on Sunday. Although the squad already had Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav, the BCCI decided to add Sundar for the two remaining Test matches.
According to a report by Indian Express, Sundar was added to the squad due to concerns regarding India's batting with Shubman Gill struggling with a stiff neck, Rishabh Pant's knee injury, and KL Rahul's disappointing show in Bengaluru.
The report added that it was the request from the Gautam Gambhir-led team management to include Sundar and he can play the second Test match in Pune.