“The fact that I also got to bowl a lot of overs in that game definitely helped. I am really grateful for this day, I don’t think I will ever forget this day, (it was) very special,” he added.

Before getting a call-up in the Indian squad for the second Test, Sundar was representing Tamil Nadu in a Ranji Trophy match against Delhi. His performance in that match where he scored 152 runs while batting at No.3 and took 6 wickets, convinced the selectors to call him up for the Pune Test.

“That has always been a self-talk for me because I have always wanted to figure out things that would help me to get better, help me to keep evolving as a cricketer. That is the only thing I have been focusing on in the last few years and I am really grateful to (the) god for me to be able to experience these kinds of situations,” Sundar said.

The wily allrounder on Thursday took 7/59 against New Zealand which replicates the career-best figures of veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who he bowled alongside in the match.

“We communicated a lot and they brought in a lot of qualities, skill sets and experience. That really helps for someone who is playing along with them. It definitely helped me today and it is special to be playing in the game in which both of them are part of as well. I hope we will get to play a lot more games together,” Sundar said on Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.