Team India put up a strong fight in the Manchester Test against England, managing to draw the match thanks to stellar centuries by Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar. While Gill impressed many with his leadership, one decision left fans puzzled—Washington Sundar was not asked to bowl for the first 68 overs of England’s first innings.
After the match, Sundar responded with humor when asked about it.
During the post-match interaction, a broadcaster jokingly asked, “Did your captain forget that you can bowl in the first innings?”
Sundar smiled and replied, “I don’t want to give any headline this time,” prompting laughter from former cricketers Nasser Hussain and Stuart Broad.
The broadcaster continued, “You should’ve just stared at Gill like you were ready to bowl!”
To this, Sundar said, “Mostly, I stay on the square side, and I’m sure we cross paths often. But I’m always ready to give the team what it needs.”
Bowling Coach Clarifies the Strategy
India's bowling coach Morne Morkel explained the rationale behind the decision. “Shubman wanted to stick with the fast bowlers longer as the ball was swinging a lot in the first two days. We did consider using spin, but the pacers were still effective. Sundar has done a great job whenever called upon,” Morkel said.
Sundar’s Impactful Series So Far
Washington Sundar has been a consistent performer in the series, scoring 205 runs in three Tests at an impressive average of 51.25, including a crucial century. With the ball, he has picked up seven wickets, including one four-wicket haul. Heading into the final Test, fans are hoping for another match-winning performance from the all-rounder.
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