Former Indian cricketer Ravi Shastri has urged Washington Sundar to establish himself as a long-term all-rounder in India’s Test squad. Sundar shined in the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, scoring a couple of vital runs and taking four key wickets in England’s second innings at Lords.
Shastri hailed Sundar’s all-round ability and voiced confidence that he will prosper in the game’s longest format. Sundar had a remarkable debut at the Gabba in 2021 during India’s tour of Australia, scoring 62 runs to help India win the series.
“I’ve always adored Washington. When I saw him on day one, I said he was the man. And he can be a true all-rounder for India for many, many years,” Shastri told The ICC Review.
Shastri noted Sundar’s limited opportunities in red-ball cricket and highlighted the need for this to alter. He cited Sundar’s outstanding performance during New Zealand’s 2024 tour of India, when the all-rounder finished as the joint best wicket-taker with 16 wickets in just four innings.
“He’s only 25 years old. I believe he should have played more Test cricket. He can be lethal in India on ball-turning wickets, as New Zealand discovered when they played India. He outbowled several of the senior spinners. “He bowled really well and can bat,” Shastri said.
Washington Sundar had exceptional technical proficiency in the longest format.
Despite batting at No. 7 or lower in ten of his eleven Test matches, he has a batting average of 38.92, with four half-centuries. In the present series against England, he has 77 runs and five wickets.
India will face England in the fourth Test at Old Trafford, Manchester, beginning July 23. The visitors, who trail 1-2 in the five-match series, will seek to tie the game and keep their hopes of winning the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy alive.
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