(AFP Photo)
Ravindra Jadeja’s retirement from T20Is has created an opportunity for a spin bowling allrounder, and Washington Sundar is vigorously striving to secure that role. Currently on tour with a youthful Indian squad in Zimbabwe for a five-match series, which the visitors lead 2-1, Sundar is leaving no stone unturned to establish himself.
Sundar’s career has faced setbacks including injuries, loss of form, and tough competition. His recent IPL 2024 stint with Sunrisers Hyderabad was lackluster, featuring only two matches where he managed a solitary wicket and made no impact with the bat.
Despite these challenges, Sundar, known for his offspin, continues to be in the sights of team management due to his potential. He was a contender for a spot in India’s T20 World Cup 2024 squad, eventually clinched by Axar Patel.
The Zimbabwe tour serves as a crucial opportunity for Sundar to strengthen his credentials and prove his worth.
“I need to be doing where I’m good at and what I’m capable of very well especially with preparation,”Following his outstanding performance against Zimbabwe in the 3rd T20I, Sundar remarked to reporters,
“I need to be there every single day giving my 100 per cent. And that’s something I’ve not compromised on. And I’ve always been giving 100 per cent in every single practice session and obviously in games as well. So that way it keeps me in the present. It’s very important to be in the present and put up those good performances regularly. I’m very confident as well. It’s a great opportunity for me to play for India, a great blessing. I need to be doing my job really well. As I said, I need to keep preparing wherever I need to and getting better in all aspects of the game. That way everything will be taken care,” he added.
Sundar’s spell of 3/15 from four overs was instrumental as India successfully defended their total of 183 against Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club on Wednesday. India chose to bat first and got off to a strong start, with Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal combining for 55 runs in the Powerplay overs.
“We got off to a flier. which definitely helps any team in any game. I feel I think we got 55 got in the first six overs without losing a wicket. That really set a beautiful tone for us to keep playing in that rhythm,” Sundar said.
India received an unexpected setback in the series opener as Zimbabwe secured a victory to go up 1-0. Sundar attributed this outcome to unfamiliar conditions and emphasized that the team is gradually adapting and learning from each match.
“They way you (Zimbabwe) started, hats off! We learn every single day. But yes, coming here in Zimbabwe and playing cricket, for most of us, I think we are trying to get lot more information about the wickets over here, about the conditions. First game, I mean, we didn’t really have so much information, as much as we have now. So obviously there are a lot of learning and today we played on a different wicket, so it played a lot better I would say for batting. You keep getting lessons and learnings every after every single game. That way we’re all lucky to play the sport,” he said.
