Birthday special: Washington Sundar – India’s premium off-spinner in making

In recent years, a young bowler from Tamil Nadu has sprung up in the international arena and has the potential to carry forward the legacy of Indian spin bowling legend Ravichandran Ashwin. And that cricketer is, Washington Sundar.

Career highlights

Sundar has till now played 4 Tests, 1 ODI and 30 T20Is for India. He has taken a total of 32 wickets in all three formats put together. Sundar is a clever bowler, changes his pace and length according to the batsman he bowls to. He is also a bowler who can bowl in the powerplay overs, gets the new ball to skid on and restricts the run flow.

Sundar has also made vital contributions with the willow as well in his short Test career. His 62 at The Gabba against Australia in the first innings helped India post a total of 336, and allowed his side to beat their opposition by 3 wickets, while his 96* in Ahmedabad helped India thrash England by an innings and 25 runs.

Here’s wishing @Sundarwashi5 a very happy birthday. 👏 🎂#TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/pa28oqIRtk

— BCCI (@BCCI) October 5, 2021

Making his name in Tamil Nadu Premier League, Sundar impressed one and all with his all-round performance. In 2017, R Ashwin was ruled out of the IPL due to an injury. Sundar stepped in his place for Pune and delivered a solid performance. In 11 matches, he claimed eight wickets while the economy rate being only 6.16. Later that year, he also scored a century on his first-class debut.

In March 2018, Sundar was selected in India’s squad for the 2018 Nidahas Trophy against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. He was praised for his economical bowling. During the series, he bagged his maiden 3-wicket haul, making him the youngest ever T20I player to do so. He was named the player of the series for his performance. Sundar then went on to become a regular member of the Indian Twenty20 team.