Chappell Makes Bold Prediction For Washington Sundar, Says, 'I'll Be Surprised If...'

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Sundar played four Tests for India in the recently concluded series against England and accounted for the dismissal of seven batters in addition to scoring 284 runs with the bat.
25-year-old spin bowling all-rounder Washington Sundar played four Test matches for India in the recently concluded five-match series against England, and in those four games, he impressed both with his batting and bowling. Sundar finished the series with a total of 284 runs and seven wickets. He dismissed four English batters in the second innings of the Lord's Test and scored an unbeaten century (101*) in the second innings of the Manchester Test after coming to bat at No. 5 in the second innings.
For his super performances in the high-profile away series, Sundar won the Impact Player of the Series award in the Indian dressing room.
Sundar's performance in the series against England not just impressed Indian fans, but it also helped him earn big praise from legendary Australian batter and former captain Greg Chappell. Chappell, who also served as head coach of the Indian team from 2005 to 2007, in his column for ESPN Cricinfo, praised Sundar and said that he will be surprised if the 25-year-old cricketer doesn't establish himself as the team's premier all-rounder.
He also made a bold prediction by saying that he expects Sundar to play more than 50 Tests for India.
'I will be surprised if Washington Sundar doesn't establish himself as the team's premier all-rounder, who I expect to play in excess of 50 Tests," Chappell wrote in his column.
Since making his Test debut for India against Australia in January 2021 at The Gabba in Brisbane, Sundar has played 13 matches and dismissed 32 batters in addition to scoring 752 runs with the bat.
Chappell also reserved big praise for Mohammed Siraj in his column and said that Siraj was the main reason that India was competitive in the series.
'To bowl more than 185 overs in five Test matches over six weeks in any conditions is a physical, mental and emotional marathon. To do so with consistent intensity, while carrying the attack in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah for stretches, is bordering on heroic. Siraj's final-innings spell at The Oval – culminating in nine wickets for the match – sealed the game. But it was what led to that moment that truly stood out," Chappell said.
'Siraj began the series tentatively. He lacked rhythm and confidence and bowled mixed lines and lengths. Questions were rightly asked about his readiness to lead the attack sans Bumrah. But with each Test, he grew. The body language changed. The shoulders didn't slump; they squared. The run-up lengthened, the wrist snap sharpened, and the eyes burned even brighter. He didn't just gain form – he grew in stature."
'By the final Test, he was no longer the support act. He was the main event. What impressed me most wasn't the effort – which was immense – but the evolution. He started as a bowler with passion. He ended as a bowler with passion and purpose. That's the difference between a player and a leader. I don't think it is unfair to say that, despite the many wonderful batting efforts, Siraj was the main reason that India was competitive in the series."
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