Ravi Shastri backs Washington Sundar as India's long-term all-rounder in Test cricket
Yet, opportunities in red-ball cricket have been few and far between for the all-rounder—something Shastri believes needs to change.'He again is just 25 years of age. I think he should have played a lot more Test cricket,' Shastri noted.'He can be lethal in India on pitches where the ball turns, as New Zealand found out when they played against India,' he added, referencing New Zealand's 2024 tour of India, where Sundar finished as the joint leading wicket-taker with 16 wickets in four innings.'He out-bowled some of the senior spinners. He bowled that well, and he can bat.'Sundar's recent performances in the ongoing Test series in England have been modest but valuable. He has scored 42, 12*, 23 and 0 with the bat, while also picking up five wickets—reaffirming his ability to contribute in both departments.With India often searching for balance in their Test XI, Shastri's ringing endorsement serves as a timely reminder of Sundar's capabilities. Still only 25, he remains a promising prospect—one with the tools and temperament to serve India as a genuine all-rounder for years to come.- EndsMust Watch
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Indian Express
7 hours ago
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Mohammed Siraj ready to be Indian bowling's spiritual leader ‘with or without Bumrah', says Greg Chappell
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NDTV
8 hours ago
- NDTV
India Youngster Backed By Greg Chappell To Become Next Top Test All-Rounder: 'Surprised...'
Mohammed Siraj is ready to become both the 'spiritual and actual' leader of the Indian bowling attack, regardless of whether Jasprit Bumrah is part of the side or not, former India coach and Australian legend Greg Chappell said on Tuesday. Siraj, who bowled 185.3 overs in five Tests, ended with 23 wickets and his nine-for in the final Test at the Oval earned India a memorable series levelling six-run win over England. "To be fair, he has turned in many fine performances before, at the MCG, the Gabba, Perth, Lord's, Cape Town and Birmingham, but what he did at The Oval was his true coming of age. With or without Bumrah, he is ready to be the spiritual as well as actual leader of Gill's attack," Chappell wrote in his column for the 'ESPN Cricinfo'. Indian batters scored 12 hundreds in the five Tests, highest for the country in any series but Siraj's effort trumps all those efforts, feels Chappell, who was India's coach from mid 2005 to early 2007. "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," Chappell wrote. The 31-year-old is resilient whether its physically, mentally or emotionally but what stood out for Chappell was his ability to identify moments when he needs to bring his 'A' game to the fore. "He bowled like a man possessed, but also a man who had learned the art of pacing himself, of understanding the moments that matter. "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," Chappell explained the bowler's gradual growth. What Siraj did in absence of Bumrah was heroic in Chappell's observation. "To bowl more than 185 overs in five Test matches over six weeks in any condition 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." However Chappell felt that initially Siraj lacked confidence. "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, 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." While Chappell couldn't understand how Kuldeep Yadav missed out on an entire series, he earmarked Washington Sundar as the man who will be India's leading all-rounder with an ability to play more than 50 Tests. "To me, Kuldeep Yadav not being picked was incomprehensible, as he is a potential match-winner. Fixing errors like that, and embarking on a continuing search for bowling depth, can make this a formidable team. "I will be surprised if Washington Sundar doesn't establish himself as the team's premier allrounder, who I expect to play in excess of 50 Tests," Chappell further wrote.
News18
9 hours ago
- News18
Chappell Makes Bold Prediction For Washington Sundar, Says, 'I'll Be Surprised If...'
Last Updated: 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." Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
