Sunil Gavaskar believes Washington Sundar is the sort of cricketer any captain would be glad to pick, after the all-rounder contributed with bat and ball in India’s comprehensive victory over Afghanistan. Speaking on the Star Sports programme Follow the Blues, the former India captain described him as a genuine team player.
What Sundar delivered
In India’s first innings Sundar finished unbeaten on 52 from 68 balls, hitting five fours and a six. With the ball he sent down 6.4 overs in Afghanistan’s first innings for one wicket, then produced the decisive spell of the match in their second innings, taking 4 for 36 from 11 overs.
Why Gavaskar rates him
Gavaskar pointed to Sundar’s flexibility as his biggest strength. He said the player can bat anywhere in the order, can be handed the new ball and will bowl with it, and will also hold a tight line if the captain asks for control. That adaptability, he argued, makes him valuable in any line-up.
On the batting side, Gavaskar said Sundar’s quality has been known for some time. He recalled that during England’s visit to India in 2021 Sundar made two scores in the nineties without reaching a hundred. He also mentioned last year’s match-saving partnership with Ravindra Jadeja, which brought Sundar his first Test century.
Gavaskar added that the half-century against Afghanistan came on a pitch that was not easy for batting, which made it more notable. His verdict was that Sundar’s batting is no secret to anyone, and that this innings only reinforced the point.
