Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja are two of the greatest Test cricketers India has ever produced. Together, they made India an unbreachable fortress where no team was able to win a series from 2012 to 2024. But like all empires, there was to come an end as well. It’s not happened yet, but both getting dropped for Washington Sundar for the India vs Australia 1st Test was a sign of what’s about to come.
Without a doubt, Ashwin and Jadeja are irreplaceable, but Team India will have to make do. Paras Mhambrey, India’s bowling coach from November 2021 to June 2024, feels that Washington is the best bet to replace the two greats. Like them, he’s an all-rounder and possesses the ability to win matches with both bat and ball. He’d shown what can do with the willow at the Gabba three years ago and wowed everyone with significant improvement in his bowling against New Zealand in October.
Steady improvement
Talking about the changes Washington has made, Mhambrey told the Times of India, “He is a smooth operator. He will think about the things he has been told. He’ll then figure out what works for him. So, he started working hard on his off-spin and the improvement showed every season. Let’s get it straight. He is not a regular off-spinner. Certainly not like Ashwin who can turn the ball big.”
He has worked hard on getting the ball to turn. He never thought about becoming another Ashwin. We worked on bowling from different angles, and not to tamper with his action for the sake of getting turn. That could have rattled him when he was young. Then, it was more about just bowling, a lot. Now, he understands mixing the pace and line with angles, and is accurate. The pace through the air and off the pitch usually gives the batters less time to adjust,” the former Indian coach added.
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Why Rohit Sharma likes Washington Sundar
Mhambrey also revealed that Rohit Sharma, India’s Test and ODI captain, is fond of the all-rounder. The reason for this is Washington’s attitude. The 25-year-old is an ultimate team man, does whatever’s required of him, and won’t make a big deal when not given an opportunity.
“We were talking if it was time to prepare for life beyond Ashwin and Jadeja during the England series earlier in the year. Washington fits the bill. Rohit is fond of him because he is not someone who will be a nuisance if he is not played. He will do exactly what the team asks him to do. But he takes immense pride in what he does,” Mhambrey concluded.
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