Ravichandran Ashwin After the all-rounder was selected for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Washington Sundar made a bold statement. The former Indian off-spinner claimed that the head coach, Gautam GambhirSundari will do everything to play in the tournament.
Ashwin hinted that Gautam Gambhir, who loves the all-round spin, can go to any extent even if Washington is biased to include Sundar in the playing XI for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. It should be noted that India dropped Ashwin in favor of Sundar in the last Australian tour.
Ravichandran Ashwin reveals Gautam Gambhir’s strong support for Washington Sundar ahead of ICC Champions Trophy 2025
The decision did not sit well with many as some claimed that the call forced the ace off-spinner to retire from international cricket in the middle of the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. However, Ravichandran Ashwin highlighted how important the left-right combination is in modern cricket, especially with the absence of non-spinners in the team.
Ashwin believes that Washington Sundar will play a vital role in India’s 2025 Champions Trophy run, especially the No. 8 finish. He noted that Sundar, at No. 8, would bring great balance to the side for the eight. – national tournament.
Left and right hand combinations are very important in modern times: Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin said on his YouTube channel, “The combination of left and right hands is very important in this era because there is no off-spinner in this team. The spinnerets of your left arm are there. Holiday rotation is very important. I feel Washington Sundar will definitely play at No.8. There are two things. Frankly, as far as I know, Gautam Gambhir is very fond of him. Appreciates him and surely Gautam Gambhir has backed him. If Washington comes on the 8th, your balance changes immediately.”
The former Indian all-rounder believes that if Washington Sundar makes it to the top five, he will be a real game changer as he can unlock a new level of balance and dynamism for India. However, he noted that the way Gautam Gambhir supports Sundar, he has a good chance of playing in the top five.
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Ashwin further explained, “I feel that Washington Sundar will have a slightly higher role in the batting order. Playing 4 or 5 in the future and bowling will give you that balance. Just think about it. If the balance of the off-spinner is in the top 5, it changes the dynamic. He has to bat in the first 5, then he opens a whole new door for you. It provides a lot of options.”
Notably, Washington Sundar has so far represented India in 14 ODIs and has scored 315 runs at an average of 24.23 including one half-century. In his List A career, Sundar has 983 runs in 56 innings at an average of 21.84, with two half-centuries to his name. He scored 152 runs against Delhi at No.3 last year and then bounced back in the last two matches of the three-match Test. series Against New Zealand. However, New Zealand had whitewashed India in this series.
