Washington Sundar - players.bio

New Twist In R Ashwin Retirement Tale? Harbhajan Singh Hints At 'Ajit Agarkar Factor'

Ravichandran Ashwin's retirement announcement might have sent shockwaves across the cricketing fraternity but it isn't a decision that Ashwin made in an instant. His recent performances, status in the team, age, fitness, and emerging players, are some of the factors that would've likely impacted Ashwin's decision. When former India spinner Harbhajan Singh was asked about Ashwin's decision, he did admit that it was a big shock. But, when the Turbanator came to know about the Ajit Agarkar-England Test selection on the matter, the picture became clearer to him.

"Maybe They Don't Trust...": Harbhajan Singh On 'Unacceptable' Team Selection For 3rd Test

The playing XI picked by the Indian cricket team for the third Test against Australia has come under harsh criticism. Earlier, former India batter Aakash Chopra criticised the team's inconsistency with spinners and now ex-India spinner Harbhajan Singh has also talked on the same topic. Notably, India rested both Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja in the first Test and went ahead with Washington Sundar. In the second game, the Rohit Sharma-led side rested Sundar to make place for Ashwin, while the very next game saw Ashwin being replaced by Jadeja.

Rohit Sharma To Make Brave Selection Calls For Gabba Test? Report Makes Big Claim

India are set to make two changes to their playing XI for the third Test against Australia, starting Saturday at the Gabba in Brisbane. According to a report in the Indian Express, veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is set to lose his place in the XI, with Washington Sundar likely to replace him. Sundar played the series opener in Perth which India won by 295 runs, but was dropped from the team for the pink-ball Test in Adelaide as Australia levelled the five-match series 1-1 after beating the visitors by 10 wickets.

Big Change In India XI For 3rd Australia Test? Cheteshwar Pujara Says "Batting Wasn't Good..."

Following a crushing ten-wicket defeat to Australia in Adelaide, India's hopes of bouncing back in the third Test in Brisbane have taken centre stage. With the series tied 1-1, the stakes are higher than ever, and seasoned batter Cheteshwar Pujara has suggested a key change to the playing XI. Pujara advocated for Washington Sundar's inclusion in place of Ravichandran Ashwin to bolster India's batting depth and regain control in the crucial series. Pujara's recommendation comes after Ashwin's underwhelming performance in Adelaide, where he managed figures of 1/53 in 18 overs. While Ashwin is one of India's most experienced bowlers, Pujara believes the team may need Sundar's all-round abilities to address their recent batting struggles.

Explained: Why R Ashwin Replaced Washington Sundar For Pink-Ball Test Against Australia

India's returning captain Rohit Sharma pulled off a big surprise at the time of the toss during the second Test against Australia on Friday. While the return of Rohit and Shubman Gill was expected, the Indian team management also swapped spin-bowling all-rounder Washington Sundar with the veteran Ravichandran Ashwin. The return left a few baffled as Sundar was preferred over Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja in the first Test at Perth. However, he had no place in India's XI for the day-night contest at Adelaide. But, there remains a strong reason behind this selection. When it comes to overseas encounters, it's Jadeja who has won most battles for the sole spinner's spot. But, in terms of pink-ball matches, it's Ashwin who has impressed the most. Ashwin has a whopping 18 wickets to his name in pink-ball matches, taking the No. 1 spot in the list of Indian bowlers. Axar Patel is the next Indian in line, with 14 scalps.

Blow To R Ashwin And Ravindra Jadeja For 2nd Test, Report Says Team Management Prefers This Player

Just as the case was in the opening Test between India and Australia in Perth, the second Test at Adelaide is also likely to see Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja being made to warm the bench. According to a report, Washington Sundar is all but certain to keep hold of his spot in the Indian team as the 'sole spinner', with the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Harshit Rana accompanying him as the three pacers for the day-night Test.

Video: Yashasvi Jaiswal Gets Stuck In 'No Entry', Faces Rohit Sharma's Scolding

The Indian cricket team reached Adelaide after a successful pink-ball practice game in Canberra. As the players prepare for the day-night Test against Australia, a few players went shopping at the airport. The likes of Sarfaraz Khan and Washington Sundar tried a few hats before taking their flight to Australia, with the latter also deciding to buy one. However, Sundar couldn't prevent himself from facing Sarfaraz's quips as he tried a few hats. Sundar's hat shopping also earned him a new nickname 'Mogambo', from none other than the funny Sarfaraz.

"At The Age Of 38...": On R Ashwin, Harbhajan Singh 's Grim 'Long Term Plan' Warning

No one can take away the "phenomenal achievements" of Ravichandran Ashwin but the Indian team management is preparing Washington Sundar for near future when the former calls time, feels another spin maestro Harbhajan Singh. Ashwin, who with 536 wickets is second to Anil Kumble's 619 Test scalps for India but the next 84 victims could take time with young Washington suddenly becoming India's first-choice off-break bowler in the Gautam Gambhir era. “I think that's what their (team management and selectors') long term plan is. Ravichandran Ashwin has done a phenomenal job playing for India in taking all those wickets in his career,” Harbhajan told PTI in an exclusive interview when asked if he sees Ashwin's younger Tamil Nadu state mate taking over the mantle of lead spinner.

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New Twist In R Ashwin Retirement Tale? Harbhajan Singh Hints At 'Ajit Agarkar Factor'

"Maybe They Don't Trust...": Harbhajan Singh On 'Unacceptable' Team Selection For 3rd Test

Rohit Sharma To Make Brave Selection Calls For Gabba Test? Report Makes Big Claim

Big Change In India XI For 3rd Australia Test? Cheteshwar Pujara Says "Batting Wasn't Good..."

Explained: Why R Ashwin Replaced Washington Sundar For Pink-Ball Test Against Australia

Blow To R Ashwin And Ravindra Jadeja For 2nd Test, Report Says Team Management Prefers This Player

Video: Yashasvi Jaiswal Gets Stuck In 'No Entry', Faces Rohit Sharma's Scolding

"At The Age Of 38...": On R Ashwin, Harbhajan Singh 's Grim 'Long Term Plan' Warning