Washington Sundar: A Cricketer in Search of Clarity in Role
Understanding Washington Sundar's Role in the Indian Team
Is Washington Sundar primarily a batsman who can bowl off-spin, or is he an off-spinner who can contribute with the bat? This question has been a topic of discussion for a while, especially considering how the Indian team management has utilized the 26-year-old player.
There seems to be a lack of clarity from Gautam Gambhir and his support staff regarding Sundar's specific role within the team.
In his 61 T20I matches, Sundar has not showcased himself as a powerful finisher nor has he established himself as a spinner that opposing teams need to strategize against.
His underwhelming performances in T20 cricket have led to comparisons with Ravindra Jadeja, a term that once frustrated Jadeja himself—'bits and pieces cricketer.' However, Sundar's current form is far from Jadeja's peak.
At 26, Sundar has already spent nearly a decade in professional cricket, debuting before turning 18. Yet, with only 26 innings batted in 61 games and a strike rate below 130, he cannot be considered a reliable finisher.
Moreover, with 51 wickets in 57 innings and an economy rate slightly above 7, his bowling can only be described as decent. He averages 18 balls per innings, indicating he often doesn't complete his full quota of overs.
As T20I strategies evolve, Sundar, who initially made his mark as an off-spinner in the powerplay, is now less frequently utilized due to aggressive batting styles worldwide.
In a recent match against Ireland, he bowled just one over, introduced in the 16th over, and scored only 9 runs off 12 balls while batting at No. 6.
A concerning trend has emerged from his recent performances: in the last 12 T20Is, he bowled in 10 innings, with the number of overs bowled being 1, 2, 4, 4, 1.2, 1, 1, 1, 1, and 2. Since Gambhir took charge, Sundar has often bowled only one over in five of those innings.
Interestingly, in a match where he bowled 1.2 overs, he achieved his best T20I figures of 3/3 against Australia. Despite being brought in as first change on three occasions, he was not given the chance to bowl more.
A deeper analysis reveals that out of 57 bowling innings, Sundar has only bowled his full quota of overs 25 times. When he does bowl all four overs, his economy rate drops to 6.65, compared to a career average of 7.05, and his strike rate improves significantly.
Former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin discussed Sundar's situation on his YouTube show, 'Ash Ki Baat,' noting that while the management supports Sundar, his role remains ambiguous. Ashwin expressed confusion over Sundar being used as a finisher, suggesting he should have a more flexible role similar to Axar Patel's under previous management.
Ashwin emphasized that if the team wants to develop Sundar into a dependable all-rounder, he should be given the opportunity to bowl his full quota of overs and bat in a more suitable position.
While the series against Ireland may not be significant, the ongoing uncertainty regarding Sundar's role could hinder his development, as he possesses more potential than just being labeled a 'bits and pieces' cricketer.