“He can be a genuine all-rounder for many, many years for India” - Ravi Shastri on Indian all-rounder

Former Team India head coach Ravi Shastri has backed the Indian all-rounder Washington Sundar to represent India for many years to come in the longest format of the game as a genuine all-rounder.

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Though Sundar made his Test debut at Gabba in Brisbane in 2021 against Australia, he couldn’t get ample opportunities in red-ball cricket after that, playing only 11 Tests since, accumulating 545 runs and pocketing 30 wickets.

Speaking on The ICC Review, Shastri went down the memory lane to the all-rounder’s day one and hailed the all-rounder’s mindset. He further added that Sundar deserves more chances in the Indian team, considering his impact on spin surfaces.

“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.

Notably, Sundar emerged as the leading wicket-taker in the recent New Zealand series at home, scalping 16 wickets from only two games at an average of 14.13, bowling a whopping 70.5 overs.

“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.

It’s important to note that despite batting at No. 7 or lower in the batting order, Sundar has a decent batting average of 38.92 in the longest format of the game, which includes four half-centuries. 

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“He's a naturally talented batsman. He's no number 8. He can go at 6 very soon in the batting lineup,” he stated.

“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 concluded.

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