It is due to his versatility
For most all-rounders, versatility is an added advantage. For Washington Sundar, it has become his biggest strength. Over the years, India has used him in almost every role imaginable. He has opened the bowling in T20Is, operated through the middle overs in ODIs, batted as a finisher in white-ball cricket and even walked in at No. 4 in Test matches. At Edgbaston on Tuesday, he was handed another assignment, batting at No. 5 during a tricky chase against England.
Sundar delivered once again.
Walking in after Shubman Gill retired hurt on 80 with India still needing 110 runs, the 26-year-old remained unbeaten on 52 and shared an unbroken 102-run partnership with Axar Patel to guide India to a six-wicket victory and a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.
No fixed role, no complaints either
For many cricketers, constantly changing roles can make preparation difficult. Sundar, however, sees it differently. Rather than searching for stability, he enjoys the challenge of adapting to whatever the team requires.
“The fact that I play different roles is exciting. Not many people get to play different roles. I get to play those different roles and be in those different situations,” Sundar said after the match.
“Obviously, I try my best to help the team win. As I said, it is exciting to be in different situations and different phases of the game.”
Those words explain why India continues to trust him in situations that demand flexibility rather than specialists.
Sundar believes that confidence from his coaches has played a significant role in helping him embrace different responsibilities. He credited head coach Gautam Gambhir for helping him better understand his batting, while also acknowledging Gujarat Titans’ coach Ashish Nehra for influencing his overall development.
“Gauti bhai always made me understand what exactly I could do with the bat, especially, and made me understand my game as well,” Sundar said.
He also praised Nehra for helping him grow beyond just his cricketing skills.
“Ashish Nehra at GT has always made sure… he has helped me understand myself a lot more, be it as a person or as a cricketer on the whole.”
According to Sundar, that belief has encouraged him to keep improving as an all-rounder instead of limiting himself to one role.
“As an all-rounder, I think it is really important to keep looking to improve every single day, understand my game and play according to the situation. Playing a lot of games also helps because you get to be in those situations and have a lot of learning.”
Making a difficult chase look comfortable
Although Sundar finished unbeaten, he was quick to acknowledge the contributions that set up the chase.
He pointed to Shubman Gill’s fluent 80 and his earlier stand with Shreyas Iyer as crucial moments before praising Axar Patel for taking the pressure off in the closing stages.
“There was definitely a little bit in the wicket. Shubman batted really well, and that partnership with Shreyas Iyer was very, very important.”
“Obviously, the way Axar played, he got those crucial boundaries every time they were needed and made things look very easy.”
On a surface that offered assistance to the bowlers, the unbeaten century partnership ensured India never allowed England back into the contest.
India’s problem-solver
Washington Sundar has never been the kind of cricketer whose value is measured only by runs or wickets. His biggest contribution is his ability to fit into almost any role the team asks of him. Against England, his unbeaten half-century again proved that his greatest asset isn’t his off-spin or even his batting alone.
It is the rare ability to adapt, regardless of where or when Team India needs him.
Source: Indian Express
