Cricket Player Washington Sundar Speaks Out About Being Overlooked by Shubman Gill: "I'm Steering Clear of Sensationalized Headlines!"
In the recent Test match between England and India at Old Trafford, the spotlight was stolen by some extraordinary performances. Among them, Washington Sundar, the Indian all-rounder, emerged as a crucial figure, anchoring India's resistance with his bat and showcasing his all-round capabilities.
England's openers, Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, scored at over 5.5 runs per over in the match, putting India under pressure from the outset. However, Sundar, who was promoted to No. 5 following Rishabh Pant's injury, held the Indian innings together with an unbeaten century. His 101* was crafted with discipline, patience, and impeccable shot selection, stitching a crucial partnership with Shubman Gill.
Gill, who scored his ninth Test century, anchored India's innings with confidence and poise. However, his reluctance to hand the ball to Sundar during England's batting onslaught drew criticism. Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and debutant Anshul Kamboj struggled to extract life from the pitch during England's batting onslaught.
Despite the controversy surrounding his lack of use with the ball, Sundar anchored India's resistance. He was brought into the attack just before lunch on Day 3 and dismissed Ollie Pope and Harry Brook in quick succession. His transformation, from being overlooked with the ball to anchoring India's resistance, was complete.
Sundar's performance as a bowler served as a reminder of his status as a genuine all-rounder. His response to being asked if his captain had forgotten he could bowl was diplomatic and left experts wondering about Gill's decision-making. The delay in giving Sundar the ball led to intense debate across the cricketing world.
India's bowling coach, Morne Morkel, defended the decision to stick with seamers longer, citing initial favorable conditions for pace. The team had many bowling options, making it difficult to accommodate Sundar’s bowling early on. His inclusion was initially more for his all-round abilities, and with Rishabh Pant injured, Sundar was promoted to bat at No. 5 late in the game, where he played a crucial innings to save the match.
Shubman Gill acknowledged Sundar’s versatility, highlighting that his batting was a significant asset for the team alongside his bowling prowess. Coach Morne Morkel, while not directly quoted, is represented through the team management's tactical approach emphasizing Sundar’s batting role to stabilize the innings and fill the gap left by Pant’s injury, which was a key strategic decision.
However, Sundar’s father expressed frustration about inconsistent selection and dropping despite good performances, underscoring a broader issue with Sundar’s opportunities in the team. This issue, combined with his outstanding performance in Manchester, has sparked discussions about the need for a more consistent approach to team selection, ensuring that talent like Sundar's is given the opportunities it deserves.
Sports once again highlighted the importance of versatility, as Washington Sundar, the Indian all-rounder, excelled in both bowling and batting during the Test match at Old Trafford. Despite his impressive bowling performance, missing out on the ball during England's batting onslaught was a topic of debate, raising questions about tactical decision-making.
