Legendary Indian National Cricket Team off-spinner Harbhajan Singh praised the team management for favoring Washington Sundar Ravichandran Ashwin.
Washington Sundar was viewed as the first choice off-break bowler Gautam GambhirThe coaching staff and Harbhajan Singh said they have done the right thing by grooming Sundar for the future.
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Washington Sundar was picked over Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin in the Perth Test
Sundar was picked over veterans Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja in the opening game of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 against the Australian National Cricket Team in Perth.
The 25-year-old started as the only spinner in the squad and did a decent job for the side in the match. With the bat he recorded figures of 4 and 29 and with the ball he recorded figures of 0/1 and 2/48.
He got the nod ahead of the seniors as he impressed everyone with his performance in the home Test against the New Zealand National Cricket Team.
He featured in two home Tests against the Black Caps where he registered scores of 18*, 21, 38* and 12. He was a game changer as he recorded figures of 7/59, 4/ with the ball. 56, 4/81 and 1/30.
But now he is at that stage, at the age of 38 – Harbhajan Singh
Speaking to the media, Harbhajan Singh praised Ashwin for doing a phenomenal job for India over the years, but said he was 38 years old and the team management needed to back him up.
“I think this is their (team management and selectors) long-term plan. Ravichandran Ashwin has done a phenomenal job playing for India to capture all these wickets in his career,” Harbhajan told PTI.
“But now he is at that stage, 38, so when R Ashwin retires, they keep Washington Sundar (for). The team thinks they have to prepare Washington, so I think they’re working on the same path,” Harbhajan Singh said.
Bumrah is an amazing player – Harbhajan Singh
The spin bowling legend also heaped praise on the pace spearhead jasprit bumrah for having a calm disposition and leading India from the front.
“Bumrah is an amazing player and of course he has a great mindset. I have been a big fan of Bumrah since day one and he has a very calm personality.
“He knows his game and is a well-liked guy in the dressing room. He has a lot of respect in the dressing room, so when someone like that leads you, the team obviously follows him,” said Harbhajan Singh.
Meanwhile, Harbhajan Singh was happy with KL Rahul’s performance in the Perth Test and said he is a quality player. He said:
“KL Rahul… we talk about him so much that KL doesn’t make runs, it doesn’t happen for him or it doesn’t happen, but at the end you see if you give a player (long) runs – he’s a quality player, KL Rahul – and I am very happy for him.
