Washington Sundar Dismisses Role Concerns Amid India’s Batting Puzzle

Washington Sundar defended his shifting batting roles and said he enjoyed adapting for the team.

Star India all-rounder Washington Sundar has rejected all debate over his changing batting position in the Test team, saying he is happy to bat wherever the side needs him. The 25-year-old has moved across the order throughout the series, including a stint at No. 3 in Kolkata before being shifted to No. 8 in Guwahati.

Across the first Test in Kolkata, Sundar faced 82 balls in the first innings and 92 in the second, showing composure on a difficult surface with inconsistent bounce. Despite that, the team management opted to move him down the order in the second Test as Sai Sudharsan replaced the injured Shubman Gill, while Nitish Kumar Reddy came in for Axar Patel.

Under Gautam Gambhir as head coach, Sundar’s last seven Test innings have been at No. 5, No. 8, No. 9, No. 7, No. 3, No. 3 and No. 8. In Guwahati, he again emerged as a key contributor with a resilient 48 off 92 balls and a 72-run stand for the eighth wicket with Kuldeep Yadav.

Gill’s neck injury forced changes in the batting order for the second Test. However, Sundar made it clear that he had no complaints.

“I would say I am the happiest to bat wherever the team wants me to bat. That way, it is a lot more exciting. This is a team game,” Sundar said after the day’s play.

He firmly dismissed suggestions that the constant movement had unsettled him. “Not at all. Honestly, I really want to be the cricketer who steps up whenever the team requires and wherever the team wants me to bat and bowl. I have to be ready and get things done for the team,” he said.

“No matter what situation I am in, it is very exciting for me that way. I also get to play different roles. I don’t think many get that opportunity. So, it is only exciting.”

Views on Pant’s dismissal

Sundar remained composed when questioned about Rishabh Pant’s short-ball dismissal, which sparked debate after Dhruv Jurel fell in a similar manner.

“On another day, the bowlers would have gone into the stands and all of us would have appreciated and clapped. That’s how it is. Sometimes you just got to back their plans and their skill sets as well,” Sundar said.

“Given the fact that they have shown a lot of proof and evidence in the past as well, I think it is just about them backing their skill sets. Obviously, execution didn’t go the way we wanted.”

He also rejected the view that the pitch played unevenly. “It wasn’t a snake pit or whatever you may call it. It’s a very good wicket. It was a true wicket. Not many days you get to bat on such tracks, especially in India. If you spend time there, runs are there for the taking,” Sundar said.

“It wasn’t uneven at all. He is obviously the tallest going around and he gets that bit of sharp bounce off good length. We have played such bowlers quite a lot. On another day, we would have batted the same deliveries a lot better and it would have seemed like a very different scenario.”