Former coach Greg Chappell sets expectations for Gautam Gambhir's key player post England series, stating, "I would be taken aback if he doesn't..."
Washington Sundar, a versatile cricketer from India, has been making waves in the Test arena since his debut against Australia in 2021. His recent performances, particularly in the India-England series, have caught the attention of cricket pundits and coaches alike, with predictions of a bright future for the young all-rounder.
As of 2025, Sundar has been part of the Playing XI in only 12 more Tests after his debut. However, his impact during these matches has been significant. In the India-England series, which ended in a draw with a score of 2-2 for the Anderson-Tendulkar trophy, Sundar scored 284 runs and picked up seven wickets. He also forged an unbeaten 200-plus partnership with Ravindra Jadeja.
Gautam Gambhir, India's head coach, has been high on Sundar for his ability to score runs with the bat as an off-spinner. He played Sundar ahead of Kuldeep Yadav, emphasizing the importance of batting depth. Greg Chappell, an Australia great, shares Gambhir's optimism. He expects Sundar to play at least 50 Tests for India and become the team's No. 1 all-rounder. In his column for ESPNcricinfo, Chappell wrote that he expects Sundar to establish himself as India's premier all-rounder.
Sundar's performance in the India vs England series showed his potential to flourish in both bowling and batting departments. He scored a century in the series, along with Jadeja. His career-best bowling performance came in the home series against New Zealand, where he took 16 wickets, including a career-best of 7/59.
Ravi Shastri, another cricket expert, supports Sundar as a long-term genuine all-rounder, particularly potent on spinning pitches like those in India. Aakash Chopra, while optimistic about Sundar's batting, notes Sundar needs to further develop his bowling, especially to compete with established spinner Ravindra Jadeja for a consistent spot in the team. Sundar's current Test statistics — batting average close to 45 and bowling average under 28 — are indicative of elite all-rounder performance levels.
In summary, the consensus among experts like Gambhir, Chappell, Shastri, and Chopra is that Washington Sundar has the potential to become a key all-rounder for India's Test future. He needs to solidify his bowling role further to become the clear No. 1 all-rounder. Despite his recent success, there is still room for improvement, particularly in his bowling, to secure a consistent spot in the team, especially in overseas conditions.
Sports enthusiasts in India and across the globe have high hopes for Washington Sundar's future in cricket. Given his impressive performances in the India-England series and other Test matches, he appears poised to establish himself as a top all-rounder in the sport.
