Former SRH coach Tom Moody sheds light on Washington Sundar’s struggles in IPL 2024, highlighting his declining performance on the field. Tom Moody suggests that Sundar’s underwhelming bowling displays may be a key factor behind his surplus status in the SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) squad.
Tom Moody’s name rings out as one of Australian cricket’s greats. As a player, Moody’s journey began in 1987. This year marked a double win for him – not only did he debut for Australia’s international team, but he was also part of the victorious Cricket World Cup squad. A right-handed batsman and a right-arm medium-pace bowler, Moody brought valuable consistency and all-round ability to the team.
Though his Test appearances were limited, he became a crucial member of Australia’s limited-overs success, featuring in over 100 One Day Internationals (ODIs). His contribution was displayed again in 1999 when he played a key role in securing Australia’s second World Cup title. The Indian Premier League (IPL) has also seen Moody’s influence. He held the position of Director of Cricket for the Sunrisers Hyderabad franchise for a significant period, leading them to achieve considerable success. Most recently, his dedication to the sport continued as he was appointed Director of Cricket for Sri Lanka Cricket.
Washington Sundar’s stint in IPL 2024 was a far cry from his usual impactful performances. This season turned out to be a struggle for the all-rounder. Firstly, Sundar’s opportunities were limited. Despite rejoining SRH, Sundar faced stiff competition for a spot in the playing XI. The team opted for other spin bowling options in certain matches, restricting his appearances throughout the season.
This lack of consistent playing time hampered his ability to find a rhythm and make a significant impact. This lack of form with the ball has been a concern for a while now, according to former SRH coach Tom Moody. Moody suggested that injuries and inconsistency might be playing a role in Sundar’s bowling struggles over the past few seasons.
What Tom Moody Said
In an interview with ESPNCricinfo, here’s Tom Moody’s take on Washington Sundar,
“He hasn’t bowled well for three reasons for SunRisers. This three-year cycle, he hasn’t bowled well. If you dug out his numbers from last three years, he has either not bowled well or has been injured,”
In the two seasons preceding the current one, Sundar featured in only 16 matches for SRH, managing to secure nine wickets in total.
Tom Moody Questions Impact Substitute Rule’s Influence on Washington Sundar
Despite Washington Sundar’s recent form struggles, Tom Moody believed that he would have secured a spot in the XI if not for the Impact Substitute rule. Moody pointed out that Sundar’s capability to serve as an additional bowling option was undermined by the presence of the substitute.
Former Australian cricketer stated,
“I think the Impact Sub (rule) hasn’t helped him at all. You’ll be nearly playing him in every game purely because of his multi-skills and he gives you balance. But you don’t need that balance when you have got Impact Sub. It makes it hard for him to recapture form and confidence in the middle,”
Indian stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli recently concurred on how the rule hindered all-rounders like Sundar and Shivam Dube from getting opportunities to bowl.
Also Read: IPL 2024 : Tom Moody Reveals The Reason Behind Punjab Kings Repeated Failure