Ravichandran Ashwin made a bold statement about Washington Sundar after the all-rounder was selected for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The former Indian off-spinner claimed that the head coach, Gautam Gambhirwill do everything to play Sundar in the tournament.
Ashwin suggested that Gautam Gambhir might go to any limit, even if it means being biased, to include Washington Sundar in the playing XI in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 as he loves the all-rounder so much. Notably, India dropped Ashwin in favor of Sundar in the recent tour of Australia.
Ravichandran Ashwin reveals Gautam Gambhir's strong support for Washington Sundar ahead of ICC Champions Trophy 2025
This decision did not sit well with many as some argued that this call forced the ace off-spinner to retire from international cricket in the middle of the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. However, Ravichandran Ashwin highlighted how crucial the left-right combination is in modern cricket, especially with the absence of an off-spinner in the team.
Ashwin believes that Washington Sundar is likely to play a pivotal role in India's batting order, especially at No. 8, in the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025. He pointed out that Sundar at No. 8 will bring great balance to the eight-man squad. -tournament of the nation.
Left and right-handed combinations are very important in the current era: Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin said on his YouTube channel, “In today's era, left-arm and right-arm combinations are very important as there are no off-spinners in this team. The left arm spinners are there. It is crucial to rotate the strike. I feel Washington Sundar will definitely play at number 8. There are two things. Obviously, as far as I know, Gautam Gambhir likes him a lot. He rates it and surely Gautam Gambhir has backed it. If Washington comes in the 8th, your balance changes immediately.”
The former Indian all-rounder feels that if Washington Sundar is promoted to the top five, then it would be the real game changer as it could unlock a new level of balance and dynamism for India. However, he mentioned that the way Gautam Gambhir is backing Sundar, there is a good chance of him playing in the top five.
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Ashwin further explained, “I feel Washington Sundar will have a little bit more of a role in the batting order. Going forward playing at 4 or 5 and bowling will give you that balance. Think about it. If the off-spinner balance is in the top 5, it changes the dynamic. He has to bat in the top 5, then he opens a whole new gate for you. It throws up a lot of options.”
Notably, Washington Sundar has so far represented India in 14 ODIs and has scored 315 runs at an average of 24.23, including a half-century. In his List A career, Sundar has 983 runs in 56 innings at an average of 21.84 with two half-centuries to his name. He scored 152 runs against Delhi while batting at No.3 last year and later returned in the last two matches of the three-match Test. series against New Zealand. However, New Zealand had whitewashed India in that series.