It is a little premature to name Washington Sundar as the successor to Ravichandran Ashwin believes former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar. Speaking on ESPNCricinfo, the former batter Sanjay Manjrekar said that while Washington Sundar made a superb comeback to the Indian Test team, it was yet to be seen how he did on other surfaces. Washington Sundar performed exceptionally well in the last two Tests against New Zealand and scalped 16 wickets across four innings.
One can’t forget that Washington Sundar was asked to bowl ahead of Ashwin at the backend of the India vs New Zealand Test series. If Gambhir trusted Washington Sundar more on spinning tracks in India where Ashwin thrives, why isn’t he being backed in Australia would be a surprise for a player who himself has a memorable debut during his visit Down Under being a part of famous Gabba win in 2020-21 .
Washington Sundar one of the pioneers of famous Gabba win in BGT 2020-21 Down Under
In a series with a huge number of iconic moments, none was as consequential or as significant for the result of the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy as the partnership between Shardul Thakur and Washington Sundar at the Gabba in the decisive fourth Test match.
A makeshift Indian bowling lineup due to a long injury list and Covid precautions preventing backups from being flown in meant that the situation was already threadbare. Washington Sundar was making his debut in Test cricket, stepping in for Ravichandran Ashwin after the experienced spinner was unfit following the Sydney marathon.
Washington Sundar came in with three wickets in the first innings, including the crucial dismissal of Steve Smith. Shardul Thakur also contributed with three wickets, as the most experienced bowler in the pace attack. Australia were restricted to 389 on a good batting surface.
In response, India were in a degree of trouble at 186-6, with none of the top order able to reach a score of 50 despite starts. Despite trailing by 183, both Thakur and Washington Sundar were ready to counter-punch out of the gate, punishing any errors in line or length by the Australian bowlers.
Shardul played a series of good-looking drives down the ground, showing excellent technique for a number eight batter and frustrating the pace trio of Australia. Down the other end, Washington Sundar was patient and technically sound, attacking Nathan Lyon when the opportunity arose.
Thakur brought up his maiden Test fifty with a six, stepping down and hitting Lyon over midwicket, and Washington Sundar joined him soon after in his debut innings. The pair combined for an excellent partnership of 123 runs, the highest at the time for India for the seventh wicket, and in a fine display of controlled aggression with their backs against the wall and not a lot of batting to follow.
The runs put on by the duo were crucial as Indian inched closer to Australia’s first innings total, ensuring that the deficit was under control — even threatening to overtake their hosts before the Aussies finally made a breakthrough.
It probably isn’t seen as the most memorable part of the Gabba Test match, but without Washi-Shardul combining for late runs to keep India in the match, Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant’s heroics in the second innings might have been for naught. A crucial and memorable partnership by a pair that displayed India’s strength in depth.
Washington Sundar after his heroics in Gabba played few tests for India also slamming a career best 96 runs . However due to few poor performances he was dropped from the Indian test team. In 2024 Ranji Trophy season, After slamming 152 for Tamil Nadu in a Ranji match and India’s disastrous loss to NZ in first test, Washington Sundar was fast tracked to test squad for the remaining 2 tests.
Washington Sundar made an exceptional return to the Indian Test team after a gap of three and a half years. On his return, he not only registered his best figures in first class cricket (7/59), he also went to the top of the list of bowlers with best figures in the ongoing World Test Championship cycle for India.
His efforts against the New Zealand team in a series where Indian star bowlers Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja failed to delivered raised his stakes ahead of the much important BGT 2023-24. Former Indian commentator Sanjay Manjrekar also feels the same and urges the Indian team to have Washington Sundar in the playing XI at Optus, Perth.
Sanjay Manjrekar wants Washington Sundar as second spinner for first IND vs AUS 2024 Test in Perth
Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has picked Washington Sundar in his India playing XI for the first game of the five-match series in Perth, beginning on Friday, November 22. Manjrekar pointed out how Sundar excelled against New Zealand, picking up 16 wickets in his two Tests.
The left-handed batter also chipped in with 88 runs, including unbeaten scores of 18 and 38 in the first innings of the last two Tests, respectively.
Notably, Sundar played a solitary Test against Australia in Brisbane during the 2020-21 series. The spinner bagged four wickets and chipped in with 62 and 22, respectively. His all-round performance helped India win the game by three wickets before sealing the series 2-1.
Manjrekar told ESPNCricinfo:
“Well, there’s a track record of Indian cricket, trusting the spinners. One in 1977, when India played three spinners and it was very close Test match. More recently Kumble and Sehwag playing as spinners. Sehwag got a couple of wickets, [including] Adam Gilchrist,”
“So, I believe that if you’ve got quality bowlers and after the kind of performance of Washi showed in that last series. I mean, who has the heart and wants to drop somebody like him plus the kind of batting depth he had? So, I would rather sacrifice a pace bowler and have somebody like Washi,” he added.
Sanjay Manjrekar went ahead and insisted on importance of having 2 spinners in the playing XI in Perth.
Sanjay Manjrekar on picking two spinners for first Test against Australia in Perth
Sanjay Manjrekar backed his playing XI after including two spinners in the form of Ravindra Jadeja and Sundar. He said in the same interaction:
“Absolutely, I can stand on the rooftops and defend my playing XI because it is the most pragmatic approach to the playing XI rather than going back to convention and past as well. Just looking today and the kind of limited resources that you have in this kind of [situation] where you have very few players to choose from,”
“You have a Washington Sundar who’s had a brilliant series and plus the thing that if you got bounce, some spinners can make a mark and Washi could be one of those and he’s already got runs as a batter in Australia. I mean, how can you leave Washington Sundar out is my question and that’s why He’s forced his way into the playing XI despite the kind of history that Perth has,” he added.
Sanjay Manjrekar’s India playing XI for 1stTest: Abhimanyu Easwaran, Yashaswi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Akash Deep.
The first test between India and Australia starts the battle between two latest rivals on a green pacey Perth wicket and India would be keen to play with the best available XI to go on the field and try for a win in a test match. It’ll be slightly puzzling if Washington Sundar isn’t considered. Similar to Ashwin, Sundar is an off-spinner and has found success with both bat and ball in Australia. He was a member of the historic Gabba victory. Sundar’s played just one match in Australia but has taken 4 wickets and scored 84 runs in that game.