Just a week ago, Indian cricket felt a significant void with Ravindra Jadeja’s retirement from T20 Internationals. Jadeja, a stalwart with 74 T20I appearances, brought immense value across all formats. While his T20I success wasn’t as dominant as in Tests and ODIs, his contributions were undeniably crucial.
Can Sundar fill Jadeja’s shoes?
The search for his replacement began immediately, and one name has emerged as a strong contender – Washington Sundar. The lanky off-spinner already boasts an impressive Test record, having played a key role in India’s historic 2021 series win against Australia Down Under. Apart from the six wickets he has, Sundar boasts an average The recent Zimbabwe T20I series opener, however, might have offered something for the future.
‘Almost’ a miracle man for India
Returning to T20Is after a lengthy 18-month gap, Sundar displayed exceptional bowling prowess. His economical spell of 2/11 against Zimbabwe showcased his wicket-taking abilities and his ability to extract bounce from the Harare pitch. The Chennai-born lad kept it tight and was hard to get hit for runs. However, the true drama unfolded in the second innings, where he almost became pulled off a miracle for the visitors.
With India precariously placed at 47/6 after losing top wickets including captain Shubman Gill, Sundar stood tall. All hopes seemed lost at one point of time. He played a gritty innings, attempting to single-handedly steer India towards victory. Though he couldn’t finish the job, his valiant knock showcased his potential as a finisher in white-ball cricket as well.
A silver lining for India!
Sundar’s performance is a strong indication that India might have found the perfect replacement for Jadeja in T20Is. Despite India’s defeat, his vigil was a beacon of hope. He displayed all the qualities needed from a successor to Jadeja: excellent bowling skills and a temperament suited for crunch situations.
This T20I series against Zimbabwe could be the beginning of a new chapter for Sundar in the shortest format. With his talent and determination, he has the potential to become the perfect replacement for the legendary Ravindra Jadeja in India’s T20I setup.
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