(Source X)
Indian all-rounder Washington Sundar believes the crucial third and final ODI against Sri Lanka presents a significant opportunity for the team to tackle the spin challenge under demanding conditions. Success in this match could also bolster their preparations for next year’s Champions Trophy.
The Indian squad is at risk of facing their first bilateral ODI series loss to Sri Lanka in 27 years, following a 32-run defeat in the second ODI, which highlighted the team’s struggle against the Lankan spin bowlers.
“It is an opportunity for us to go out there and put our hands up and win those critical situations,” Sundar told reporters on the eve of the match. “Obviously with the big tournaments coming up, we will be in similar situations and it will be important to find ways as to what we can do to win those critical situations, especially in similar conditions against quality spin attack.
“I think whatever we have done in this series so far, we will take that as a learning, obviously try and move ahead and win the game tomorrow in all aspects of the game.”
“We are quality players of spin, a matter of finding a way”
Sundar also defended the batters, who have struggled against the spinners throughout the series.
“We are quality players of spin. We’ve always played in these kinds of wickets, even at home, in Test matches, and in different formats. Even domestic cricket, we play a lot of games in such wickets,” he said.
“And we know a lot of our players have done well, especially in the middle order, batting against spin. So it’s just a matter of finding a way, their self and trying to get the job done.
“Everyone knows it’s quite a challenging wicket. The Indian team has always put its hands up, especially when the challenge arises. And that’s when we’ve been very good, both with bat and ball, and we’ve come out flying colours out of the challenging situations,” he said.
“And that’s the definition of the Indian cricket team over the last many years. So I think it’s the same, it’s been the same scenario in this series as well. It’s just about finding a way individually and getting the job done.”
The 24-year-old mentioned that the team has been implementing tactical adjustments based on insights from their new head coach, Gautam Gambhir.
“There has been a lot of input from him (Gambhir). He is a high-quality player of spin. We have always seen him putting up great performance, especially in such wickets against quality spin.
Sundar, who delivered a decisive performance in Pallekele to secure India’s victory in the third T20I with a dramatic Super Over, expressed his desire to seize every opportunity that 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 getting the job done for the team, especially with the bat, especially when we’re chasing and the chips are down,” he said.
Discussing his game, Sundar mentioned that while he has made some adjustments to his bowling, the focus is primarily on finding a consistent rhythm.
“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,” he said.
“I mean it’s more to do with the rhythm and a little about technicalities. I feel that when I get certain things right with my rhythm and with my techniques, I feel a lot of things come out well for me, especially out of my hands.”
