Role Clarity Needed for Washington Sundar
Former cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has called for clarity regarding Washington Sundar's role in the Indian cricket team ahead of the final ODI against South Africa in Vizag. With Sundar's recent performances falling short, Ashwin believes it's crucial for the coaching staff, led by Gautam Gambhir, to define his position clearly. In the ongoing ODI series, Sundar has not delivered well, scoring only 13 and 1 in his two innings, while not taking any wickets with his bowling.
Sundar's batting position has also been inconsistent; he batted at No.5 in the first game and moved to No.6 in the next. This inconsistency may be contributing to his struggles, as he appears unsure of his role. Ashwin pointed out that if Sundar is selected, he should be treated primarily as a bowler who can bat. "He needs to bowl out his overs to establish the mindset of a bowler who can contribute with the bat," Ashwin stated. He emphasized that leaving Sundar in a state of confusion about his role is not beneficial for the player or the team.
Moreover, Ashwin highlighted India's recent batting issues, referencing the team's failure to finish strong despite being in a good position at 284/4 after 40 overs. He suggested that the management consider including a fast-bowling all-rounder like Nitish Kumar Reddy in place of Sundar to add depth to the batting lineup. The absence of a reliable finisher, such as Hardik Pandya, has been detrimental to India's performance, raising questions about the current approach.
Ashwin's insights also touched on the broader challenges facing the Indian team, particularly with experienced bowlers missing from the squad. He mentioned that the team might need to score an extra 30-40 runs to compensate for the lack of experience in the bowling attack. "With many bowlers lost in both Tests and white-ball formats, the team's dynamics are shifting. If Jasprit Bumrah is not a full-time member, it becomes even more critical to adapt our batting strategies," he noted.
In conclusion, as India prepares for the final ODI, it is clear that role clarity and strategic adjustments are essential to enhancing the team’s performance and addressing the ongoing challenges.
