Washington Sundar shuts down 'unconvinced' journalist with 'biryani' reference after India's loss to NZ

India all-rounder Washington Sundar termed ir loss to New Zealand in opening T20I here as a "one-off" defeat and backed hosts to bounce back in three-match series. Chasing an competitive 177, India's top-three, including in-form Shubman Gill (7) were dismissed for just 15 runs inside 19 balls, making task difficult for remaining batters with home team settling for 155 for 9, handing New Zealand a 21-run win, ir first victory of tour on Friday night.

New Zealand were swept 0-3 in preceding ODI series by India before new-look home side under Hardik Pandya took over for T20 leg.

"I think it was just a one-off game," said Washington, who scored a quickfire 28-ball 50, besides returning with tidy figures of 2/22. "I don't think that just because it was spinning so much, we have to address anything. Just that one-off game. Had we got off to a flier or a better start, things would've been much different. Obviously, it did spin, and you will see such wickets here and re.

"...people over here and players in our team have played on such wickets in IPL and even in Indian team. So, just that one-off game where certain things didn't go our way," he added.

Will you stop going to a restaurant, if you don't get your favourite biryani? 

But his responses seemed "unconvincing" for a journalist, who went on to probe furr and asked wher y should "change" ir top order.

This time, youngster was at his wittiest best.

"Do you really think a change is needed? If you don't get your favourite biryani in one of restaurants, you will never go to that restaurant?" "All of m have made so many runs. It's just one day. It happens to anyone -- even New Zealand collapsed in Raipur (108 all out in 34.3 overs in second ODI)," Washington said.

"It did t mean y had to change ir top order. It's a game where anything can happen. We will have to be patient. At end of day, it's a sport where both teams cant win and all 22 players cant perform. All of m have done well to get to this st." 23-year-old backed left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh, who registered poor figures of 4-0-51-1 and young pace sensation Umran Malik, who conceded 16 runs in only over he bowled during New Zealand's innings.

"He (Arshdeep) has taken so many wickets -- for India and in IPL. We are also human beings, we also want to play sport. When competition is very high, and opposition is of highest quality such things can happen," Washington said in support of his teammate.

" way he (Malik) bowled against Sri Lanka and New Zealand (in ODIs) that's why we all kw he's here. He's an X-factor, someone who bowls above 150 consistently and that's a rare quality." Washington went on to hail team manment under head coach Rahul Dravid.

"...also with this manment, y are very calm and patient, keen as long as we are learning from all mistakes, that's an amazing quality. Going forward, we will be a very very strong side," he said.

He also praised Kiwi all-rounder Daryl Mitchell for his unbeaten 59 off 30 balls, which eventually made difference.

"Obviously, Daryl's innings was very crucial for m. Around 150 would be par, we would have been very happy with that. But he made difference by actually getting a half-century for himself," he concluded.

second T20I will be played in Luckw on Sunday.