ENG vs IND 2025: Is Washington Sundar the next big all-rounder India have found? Bats 298 minutes and takes 2 key wickets to save Old Trafford Test.
Washington Sundar? Why? Does he even deserve a place in the team in a high-stakes Test series? When India announced him for the first time at Edgbaston during the ongoing away series against England, many had these questions. Even after he picked four wickets at Lord’s, the social media ridiculed his spot at Old Trafford.
With a proven match-winner, Kuldeep Yadav, warming the benches, was Sundar the best player to do the job? When Ravindra Jadeja met the Chennai-born at the crease on the fifth morning in Manchester, both individuals were standing at two ends of their careers. One has already earned success with exceptional performances over the years. The other has slowly taken that route.
Washington Sundar’s developed bowling skill gives India belief
T20 is chalk and cheese to Tests. There is no doubt about it. But in the last 15 IPL clashes for two different sides since 2023, the off-spinner has collected only six wickets. His average is nearly touching 60 with an economy rate of over ten. He kept bowling with a flatter trajectory.
But once he picks up the red ball, Sundar deals with a different mindset. He was a surprise pick in the playing eleven against New Zealand for the Pune encounter. But he proved to be a trump card with a ten-wicket haul in the game. There was more energy and momentum in the run-up while he was leaving the ball smoothly off his hand.
There were reports of the Tamil Nadu all-rounder working with S Sriram, who had spin coaching stints with Bangladesh and Australia. Cut to Perth during BGT 2024-25 when Sundar picked two wickets in 17 overs across two innings. But his biggest challenge came in Manchester.
Shubman Gill, India’s Test captain, perhaps did not have much faith in the 25-year-old. Everyone, apart from him, knew that Sundar could have made a difference with the ball. But it took Gill nearly 70 overs to bring the off-spinner into action. It did not take him long to break the stand, sending Ollie Pope back into the shades. The right-handed batter went for the drive as the ball zipped through off the length to take the outside edge.
Two overs later, Harry Brook ran down the track. But he was completely deceived in the air as the ball skidded past the outside edge for Dhruv Jurel to stump out the batter. Those two balls were enough to confirm how vital he would be for the Blue Brigade in the home series.
Read More: How India salvaged a draw at Old Trafford
Washington Sundar’s calmness and composure with the bat
When Washington Sundar walked at number five, again, there were questions. Why didn’t Jadeja walk at that position, having negotiated the new ball brilliantly in the series? But the composure Washington showed was excellent. At the start, Gill kept him away from Liam Dawson, the left-arm spinner. Harry Brook, from slips, reminded the all-rounder of Jofra Archer’s introduction with the new cherry.
England fancied their chances, especially after the Indian captain’s dismissal. Suddenly, they were in the lower middle-order. Of course, Rishabh Pant was prepared to bat. But it was hard to imagine much from him with a broken foot. It was all up to Jadeja and Sundar.
The latter displayed mental strength in his defense. He didn’t seem to have much of an issue with that. Whether in Gabba or Ahmedabad, he had always been fluent in the job. And why shouldn’t he? After all, he batted at number three for Tamil Nadu in the Ranji Trophy last season.
However, it’s not that easy to create a bubble and keep battling in it, forgetting the outside noise. At one point, drawing in Manchester was merely a daydream. But Sundar had a huge contribution in fulfilling the dream. He had several great days in the field, but perhaps not that much.
The 25-year-old finally celebrated his Test century after missing out on 96 and 85 before. Now, going into the fifth fixture of the series with wickets at Lord’s and runs in Manchester, he has made himself a confirmed member of the playing eleven.
Read More: Has Washington Sundar cemented his place in India XI after Ravichandran Ashwin’s retirement?
Is Washington Sundar the next big all-rounder India have unearthed?
With no Ravichandran Ashwin around, India will start looking for their future spin all-rounder for the home Tests. Jadeja and Axar Patel will be there. But hasn’t Sundar done enough to cement his position in the side? Or will we need to wait for Jadeja’s retirement to be the regular member in home matches?
He is undoubtedly on the road to becoming the next big star all-rounder for India. But it’s a long way to go. First, it will be important for the management to keep giving him regular opportunities. Once he gets that, it will be Sundar’s role to continue picking wickets and scoring runs to win the captain’s trust. Certainly, Shubman didn’t have much belief in his bowling in Manchester.
In Indian cricket, it’s a problem of plenty. The next star is always waiting. For Washington, it’s about another contribution with wickets and runs at the Kennington Oval during the series decider.
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