Washington Sundar an ideal heir to Ravindra Jadeja? Ever since 2009, Ravindra Jadeja has been a vital figure for India in the 50-over format. His handy left-hand batting, wily orthodox spin and gun fielding made him a sure shot starter in every format. It was only last year as well when he claimed his career-best ODI calendar year, taking 31 wickets and also making 309 runs. However, he is not part of the ongoing ODI series against Sri Lanka. While some argue that he was dropped, Gautam Gambhir and Ajit Agarkar claimed that he was just being rested due to a packed home season ahead.
Sundar: A perfect white-ball all-rounder?
Regardless, India are not fretting. It is because they have an ideal replacement in Washington Sundar. The lanky off-spinner has ben playing regularly ever since the T20 World Cup 2024 and have not let fans miss Jaddu. Why? Surely due to his exceptional performances. Sundar already boasts an impressive Test record, having played a key role in India’s historic 2021 series win against Australia Down Under.
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Sundar made an exceptional international comeback in the recent five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe. The all-rounder bagged as many as eight wickets from five games, with a best spell of 3/15. With the bat, however, he managed to score only 28 runs, given that he only batted on two occasions.
He was aptly named the Player of the Series, his second in T20Is. Right after that, he was dropped from the first two T20Is against Sri Lanka. But once again proved to be a match-winner in the third T20I. When the hosts were running away with an easy run-chase, Sundar turned the game with two crucial wickets. But that’s not all, he bowled a magical Super Over, leaking just two runs and making himself the biggest match-winner.
‘Sundar’ show in IND vs SL 2nd ODI
On a tricky Colombo track, Sundar was India’s most effective bowler in the second ODI against Sri Lanka. After taking just a solitary wicket in the first ODI, Washington Sundar put in a stellar show. He was hit for a few runs initially but then gauged the pitch and was a different demon altogether.
Sundar extracted some extra turn and bounce. He broke a 74-run partnership between Avishka Fernando and Kusal Mendis, taking out both batter’s on two consecutive balls. This turned the game in India’s favour. In his ninth over, Sundar had a killing blow, sending the Lankan skipper Charith Asalanka back to the pavilion.
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