Former Team India cricketer and coach Ravi Shastri feels Washington Sundar can become a genuine all-rounder for the side in the upcoming years.
The former cricketer also stated that he loves Sundar. “I always loved Washington. When I saw him on day one, I said he`s the man. And he can be a genuine all-rounder for many, many years for India,” Shastri said on The ICC Review.
Shastri feels that the 25-year-old should have played more of Test cricket and can be lethal on the Indian tracks, where he can get help to turn the ball.
“He again is just 25 years of age. I think he should have played a lot more Test cricket. Can be lethal in India on tracks where the ball is turning, as New Zealand found out when they played against India. (during NZ`s tour of India in 2024, where he was the joint top wicket taker, picking 16 wickets in four innings.). He out-bowled some of the senior spinners. He bowled that well, and he can bat,” he said.
Speaking about his skills with the willow, Shastri labelled him as a `naturally talented batsman`.
“He`s a naturally talented batsman. He`s no number 8. He can go at six very soon in the batting lineup. He`s a naturally talented batsman,” said the 63-year-old.
Washington Sundar`s inclusion has helped Team India improve their batting depth. Ahead of the fourth Test match, it will be interesting to see if India replaces Sundar with wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav.
Additionally, Nitish Kumar Reddy has been ruled out of the series, as he sustained an injury during the gym session. Arshdeep Singh is also not available for selection for the fourth Test match.
The fourth Test match is all set to be in action from July 23 onwards, at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground in Manchester.
India`s squad for the fourth Test: Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant (VC & WK), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Kuldeep Yadav, Anshul Kamboj.
(With ANI Inputs)
