All-rounder Washington Sundar came out in defence of the India batters following their dismal show in the ongoing ODI series against Sri Lanka. India all-rounder Washington Sundar feels the must-win third and final ODI against Sri Lanka will provide them a big opportunity to counter the spin threat in challenging conditions and hold the team in good stead ahead of next year’s Champions Trophy.
The Indian team is staring at its first bilateral ODI series defeat against the Islanders in 27 years after losing the second ODI by 32 runs, thanks to the lackluster performance of the batters, who failed to tackle the Lankan spin attack.
Washington Sundar among players nominated for ICC Player of the Month award for July 2024
International Cricket Council (ICC) has revealed the nominees for the Player of the Month for July 2024. India’s Washington Sundar is one of the three players in contention to win the award after his rollicking performances in the last month for the team.
Washington Sundar was one of the key performers for the India National Cricket Team in July. After missing a lot of cricket due to injuries, the all-rounder finally has ensured that he makes a major impact for the team in the T20Is and helps them win games.
Washington Sundar was one of the major reasons behind India winning the T20I series against Zimbabwe by the margin of 4-1. He started the series on a high as he returned with the figures of 2/11 and contributed 27 runs to keep the visitors in the game. But his efforts went in vain as India lost the game.
Washington Sundar continued his golden touch with the bat and ball throughout the series. The all-rounder won Player of the Match in the third game as he returned with the figures of 3/15. The all-rounder ended with the 8 wickets in the series and was also termed as the Player of the Series.
In the T20I series against Sri Lanka National Cricket Team, Washington Sundar didn’t get as many opportunities as he played in the last game only. But the all-rounder made sure that he made the most of the opportunity. He first scored 25 off 18 balls, helping India reach a competitive total of 137/8.
After that, he tilted the game in India’s favor with his bowling. When Sri Lanka needed 23 runs from 24 balls, he picked up two wickets and changed the game in his team’s favor. In the Super over, too, he was sensational as he picked two wickets and was awarded Player of the Match. However same could not translate in the ongoing ODI series as India now face a task of winning the 3rd ODI and levelling the series.
Ahead of the final and 3rd ODI, Washington Sundar opened up on Coach Gautam Gambhir’s role in mentoring the spinners and the job to be done on hand.
Washington Sundar opens up on Gautam Gambhir’s impact since taking over as head coach ahead of 3rd ODI
Team India’s bowling all-rounder Washington Sundar has asserted that new head coach Gautam Gambhir has made an instant impact since joining the Men in the Blue as the new head coach. Sundar stated that Gambhir has been giving plenty of inputs regarding small but crucial tactical changes.
Gambhir has taken over from batting legend Rahul Dravid as Team India’s new head coach. His stint with the Indian team began with a thumping 3-0 win in the T20I series against Sri Lanka. India are, however, 1-0 down in the three-match ODI series. They tied the first game, while Sri Lanka won the second by 32 runs.
The third and final one-dayer of the series will be played at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Wednesday, August 7. Speaking at a press conference ahead of the game, Sundar shared his views on the kind of impact Gambhir has had as a coach since joining the team. He was quoted as saying in a PTI report:
“There has been a lot of input from him. He is a high-quality player of spin. We have always seen him putting up great performance, especially in such wickets against quality spin.”
“That is one of the reasons we came out here today to practice and try and find a way and try and do those small little changes tactically and be prepared and ready for tomorrow’s game and be really on top of our game in all aspects,” Sundar added.
“I am someone who works hard and tries to find ways to be successful and to be an asset to the team. That way when I was thinking about my bowling, I had to do certain things, slightly different, not huge changes, but just to add a couple of more things and do certain things more often and more efficiently,” the off-spinner stated.
Sundar was Player of the Match for his fantastic all-round effort in the third T20I in Pallekele, a game which India won in the Super Over. He also claimed 3-30 in the second one-dayer even as the Men in Blue went on to lose the contest.
“It’s important for me to do well with the bat” – Washington Sundar
While Sundar is primarily looked at as a bowling all-rounder, the Tamil Nadu cricketer stated that he is keen on contributing with the willow in hand whenever the opportunity comes his way.
“It’s important for me to do well with the bat and contribute to team success and mainly win games, especially with the bat whenever I get an opportunity. I feel like I had two good opportunities in this series already and yes, really looking forward to get the job done for the team, especially with the bat, especially when we’re chasing and the chips are down,” he commented in the same interview.
Washington Sundar has notched up three half-centuries in his Test career and one each in the ODI and T20I formats. India will look to level the series in the third and final ODI of the series against Sri Lanka in Colombo on Wednesday.