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NDTV
8 hours ago
- Sport
- NDTV
"When I Saw Him...": Ravi Shastri Backs Gautam Gambhir's Pick Amid Kuldeep Yadav Chatter
Former cricketer and head coach Ravi Shastri has thrown his weight behind young Washington Sundar to be a "genuine all-rounder for many, many years for India". Sundar is slowly emerging as a familiar face across different formats of the game under the regime of head coach Gautam Gambhir. The sudden rise in Sundar's stock is attributed to Gambhir's backing of the 25-year-old over the last few months. Even former India spin wizard Ravichandran Ashwin revealed that Gambhir highly rates Sundar. With the number of opportunities that have come Sundar's way, the southpaw has latched on to every single one of them. Sundar conjured a composed 23 (76) with his robust technique in the first innings. While in the second, he weaved magic with his craft and returned with figures of 4/22 in 12.1 overs, but it wasn't enough to save India from a bitter 22-run defeat. Shastri, who saw Sundar dazzling at the crease with his multi-dimensional skills, advocated for him to grow into a genuine all-rounder in the longest format of cricket for many years to come. "I always loved Washington. When I saw him on day one, I said he's the man. And he can be a genuine all-rounder for many, many years for India," Shastri said on The ICC Review. Sundar first burst onto the Test scene during India's fabled win in 2021 against Australia at the Gabba. However, after the conclusion of the series, opportunities for Sundar dried up and remained limited in red-ball cricket. Shastri hopes Sundar gets more game time, citing his past exploits and his capability to wreak havoc on turning tracks. "He again is just 25 years of age. I think he should have played a lot more Test cricket. Can be lethal in India on tracks where the ball is turning, as New Zealand found out when they played against India. (during NZ's tour of India in 2024, where he was the joint top wicket taker, picking 16 wickets in four innings.). He out-bowled some of the senior spinners. He bowled that well, and he can bat," he added. When Sundar made his debut, India were battling with injuries. Shastri served as India's head coach during that period and turned to Sundar for the Gabba Test. He notched a fluent 62 under pressure in his very first innings and played a pivotal role in India's historic win. He topped up his batting masterclass with sizzling unbeaten knocks of 85 and 96 in subsequent series against England at home. Even after batting at No.7 or lower in 10 of his 11 Test appearances, Sundar boasts an average of 38.92, laced with four half-centuries. "He's a naturally talented batsman. He's no number 8. He can go at six very soon in the batting lineup. He's a naturally talented batsman," Shastri said. Shastri doesn't believe that Sundar's impact will be limited to the sub-continent. He expects the youngster to be an asset for India in overseas conditions, considering he scythed priceless wickets of Joe Root, Ben Stokes and Jamie Smith at Lord's. "And once he gains confidence, I think he'll get better and better because even overseas he's got the drift, he's got the pace, he's got the strength in his fingers and the fitness. You know, do both long spells and do the controlling job when needed," he added. Sundar's inclusion has added an extra layer of depth to India's batting unit, while providing an additional bowling option. It remains to be seen if India tinkers with the setup to accommodate wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav for the fourth Test in Manchester against England. India's squad for the fourth Test: Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant (VC & WK), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Kuldeep Yadav, Anshul Kamboj. England's playing XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith, Liam Dawson, Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer.
Indian Express
a day ago
- Sport
- Indian Express
‘I think he should have played a lot more Test cricket': Ravi Shastri on Washington Sundar
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri feels that Washington Sundar has all the abilities to become India's next genuine allrounder, adding that the Tamil Nadu player should have had more red ball appearances than what he currently boasts. The 25-year-old Sundar, who made his debut in 2021 at the Gabba, has played 11 Tests and scored 545 runs while snapping up 30 wickets. 'I always loved Washington. When I saw him on day one, I said he's the man. And he can be a genuine all-rounder for many, many years for India,' Shastri said on 'The ICC Review.' 'He again is just 25 years of age. I think he should have played a lot more Test cricket. Can be lethal in India on tracks where the ball is turning, as New Zealand found out when they played against India. He out-bowled some of the senior spinners. He bowled that well and he can bat,' he added. Shastri also said that Sundar was good enough with the bat to be promoted up the order. Sundar was also the joint highest wicket-taker in the 2024 home Test series against New Zealand, finishing with 16 wickets in four innings. 'He's a naturally talented batsman. He's no number 8. He can go at 6 very soon in the batting lineup.' In the ongoing England series, Washington has made key contributions with both bat and ball. At Lord's, his 4/22 in the second innings, including the prized scalps of Joe Root, Ben Stokes and Jamie Smith, had swung the match in India's favour. Shastri added that Washington's technical attributes make him an asset even in overseas conditions. 'And once he gains confidence, I think he'll get better and better because even overseas he's got the drift, he's got the pace, he's got the strength in his fingers and the fitness. You know, do both long spells and do the controlling job when needed.' (With agency inputs)
India Today
a day ago
- Sport
- India Today
Ravi Shastri backs Washington Sundar as India's long-term all-rounder in Test cricket
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has backed Washington Sundar to establish himself as a long-term all-round option for India in Test cricket. Speaking on The ICC Review following the third Test at Lord's, Shastri praised Sundar's all-round abilities and expressed strong belief in his potential to flourish in the longest format.'I always loved Washington. When I saw him on day one, I said he's the man. And he can be a genuine all-rounder for many, many years for India,' Shastri said, reflecting on his early impression of made a striking debut at the Gabba in 2021 during India's injury-hit tour of Australia, contributing a composed 62 in a pressure-filled situation. That knock proved crucial in India's famous series-clinching victory. He followed it up with unbeaten scores of 85 and 96 against England at home, showcasing technical proficiency and composure well beyond his years. Despite predominantly batting at No.7 or lower in 10 of his 11 Test appearances, Sundar boasts an impressive batting average of 38.92, including four half-centuries. 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 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
Time of India
a day ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Ravi Shastri predicts India's next big all-rounder: 'He out-bowled seniors'
Ravi Shastri (Getty Images) NEW DELHI: Former cricketer and head coach Ravi Shastri has backed Washington Sundar to become a "genuine all-rounder for many, many years for India." The 25-year-old all-rounder has been gradually cementing his place across formats under current head coach Gautam Gambhir . Sundar's resurgence is largely credited to Gambhir's consistent support in recent months — a sentiment even echoed by Ravichandran Ashwin , who said that Gambhir "highly rates" Sundar. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Given the opportunities that have come his way, Sundar has capitalised on nearly every one. In the recent Test, he showed composure and technical solidity with a 23 off 76 balls in the first innings. In the second, he spun a web around the English batters to finish with 4/22 from 12.1 overs — though his efforts couldn't prevent a narrow 22-run defeat for India. Shastri, impressed by Sundar's all-round performance, voiced strong support for his long-term future in Test cricket. "I always loved Washington. When I saw him on day one, I said he's the man. And he can be a genuine all-rounder for many, many years for India," Shastri said on The ICC Review. Sundar burst onto the Test scene during India's historic win at the Gabba in 2021. However, following that series, his red-ball appearances dwindled. Shastri believes Sundar deserves far more chances, especially given his ability to exploit spinning conditions at home. Injuries, rain, availability concerns: Team India on edge in Manchester | Exclusive updates ahead of 4th Test "He again is just 25 years of age. I think he should have played a lot more Test cricket. Can be lethal in India on tracks where the ball is turning, as New Zealand found out when they played against India. (during NZ's tour of India in 2024, where he was the joint top wicket taker, picking 16 wickets in four innings). He out-bowled some of the senior spinners. He bowled that well, and he can bat," he added. Back in 2021, India were plagued with injuries when Sundar was handed his debut at the Gabba — a move Shastri oversaw as head coach. The youngster delivered under pressure, scoring a fluent 62 and playing a crucial role in sealing the famous win. He followed up with unbeaten scores of 85 and 96 in the home series against England. Despite often batting at No.7 or lower in 10 of his 11 Tests, Sundar averages 38.92 — including four half-centuries. "He's a naturally talented batsman. He's no number 8. He can go at six very soon in the batting lineup. He's a naturally talented batsman," said Shastri. Shastri also believes Sundar's value extends beyond subcontinent conditions. Highlighting his recent performance at Lord's — where he dismissed Joe Root, Ben Stokes, and Jamie Smith — Shastri expects the youngster to be a long-term asset overseas too. Anshul Kamboj Joins India Nets After Nitish's Injury | Debut Incoming at Manchester? "And once he gains confidence, I think he'll get better and better because even overseas he's got the drift, he's got the pace, he's got the strength in his fingers and the fitness. You know, do both long spells and do the controlling job when needed," he added. With Sundar offering both batting depth and a reliable spin option, his inclusion gives India greater balance. It remains to be seen whether the team management makes space for Kuldeep Yadav alongside him for the fourth Test at Old Trafford. India squad for 4th Test: Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant (VC & WK), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Kuldeep Yadav, Anshul Kamboj. England XI for 4th Test: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (C), Jamie Smith, Liam Dawson, Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
News18
2 days ago
- Sport
- News18
Ex-ENG Pacer On Kuldeep Conundrum: 'Can't Drop Jadeja Or Sundar... 3 Spinners?'
Steve Harmison thinks Kuldeep Yadav could be valuable for India in the fourth Test but struggles to see how he fits without dropping key players like Jadeja or Sundar. Former England fast bowler Steve Harmison acknowledged that wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav could be a valuable asset for India in the fourth Test in Manchester but struggled to find a way to include him in the 'balanced" side. With India trailing 1-2 in the five-match series against England and entering a must-win situation, the potential inclusion of Kuldeep in Manchester has been widely discussed over the past week. Kuldeep's absence in the last three Tests was a strategic decision to strengthen India's batting lineup. Harmison tried to determine the best combination for Kuldeep's inclusion in the final XI. The former England speedster doesn't expect the ball to bounce for the 30-year-old but is confident that there will be spin available for him. 'I think it would, it is not going to bounce for Kuldeep, but I think it will spin, no doubt it will, as the Test match goes on. We have had three Test matches go into the fifth day, I think India have had to have a serious consideration because at this moment their side is balanced," Harmison said on ESPNcricinfo Match Day. Kudleep Comes In For? The Indian team already includes Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar; several former cricketers believe Kuldeep's inclusion would add a new dimension to India's attack. Harmison thinks it's unlikely that India will drop Jadeja or Sundar for Kuldeep, which would result in a three-spinner attack, as suggested by former England cricketer Michael Atherton. If India doesn't opt for the three-spinner scenario, Harmison suggests Kuldeep might earn a spot at the expense of either Sundar or a batter. 'You can't drop Jadeja, you can't drop Sundar. Can you play three spinners? That will be a big ask. As much as I think it will be right to play Kuldeep, I am not sure how you get him in. If you drop a batter like they did in the first Test match and everyone move up one. It will be a big call is it Washington Sundar who misses out. I wouldn't like to make that call," he concluded. (With inputs from ANI) view comments First Published: July 21, 2025, 15:29 IST 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.
