Washington Sundar’s 11-wicket haul ranks on top in Test cricket

Washington Sundar, the name itself lends intrigue. This 25-year-old was not born in the United States of America nor is he settled there. He is a pure Chennai product, one, who as a 17-year-old, was spotted as ‘talented’ in the Indian Premier League. Not too recently, in one of the most engrossing Test series India won Down Under in 2021, Sundar had served notice of his potential. What he did in the Gabba Test cannot be forgotten.

Yes, it seems, Washi, as he is popularly known, was in cold storage. To be pulled out of deep freeze and defrosted, the boy is rocking. To grab a collection of 11 wickets in one Test match is historic where he showed how potent he could be in the first innings with a seven for 59. Stats and numbers alone do not define a bowler. In fact, bowling is a thankless job. The modern-day batters are there to assault the bowlers, whatever be the format. Test cricket is pure, pristine and purposeful. At least, that is what Washi has shown with a mindset which is that of a champion.

Everyone knows each format of cricket has scope for the spinners to play a role. Only the uncharitable will say Washington Sundar was tough to play as the Pune pitch was helpful. No, the selectors and coach Gautam Gambhir deserve credit for pulling out Washi from Ranji cricket and push him into the Pune Test. He passed the test. More important, at a time when heartless hacks and trolls are slamming India for being spineless, the BCCI selectors have done well to pick this boy for the challenging Test series, again to be played in Australia from the third week of November. At a time when India has in R.Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja two top class spinners who bowl differently, for Washi to break in has been big. Yes, Kuldeep Yadav is injured and Axar Patel has not found favour. So, the story is about Washington Sundar being recognised as one for the future.

For the naysayers and negative cricket fans, they will still say bringing back Washi was just a chance. Come on, give the selectors due credit when they do a good job and do not tear apart coach Gautam Gambhir regularly. For any bowler to pick 11 wickets in a Test is magic. And this young man has worked hard. If you look at his body, he has worked hard on it. He looks superbly fit and ready to shoulder load. There was no stage fright when he bowled to the Black Caps, even after not having played Tests for a long time. That’s confidence, that’s charisma and character. Much needed in Test cricket.

When Washi was interviewed after the rich seven-wicket haul in the first innings, he talked of “God’s plan.” Nothing wrong in that since the best athletes do say a silent prayer and seek blessings. Communication with forces above is personal, and Washington Sundar was honest enough to tell cricket fans he was blessed. In fact, Indian cricket is blessed he has been rediscovered. Watching the boy bowl from beyond the boundary, it is clear he has worked on a line and length and at the same time picked up tips from maestro R.Ashwin. One feels good a senior pro has shared his expertise, his skills and offered tips to Washington Sundar. That’s how Ashwin is, if you have heard him on YouTube.

Quite often, just to hear the big athletes and legends is inspirational. Making any comparison between the two, Washi and Ashwin would be wrong. Ashwin is a class act, the variety he has mastered is years of toil. He is a master and student of the game, despite all the years he has put in. He slogs at net sessions and for him to be considered for the trip Down Under is good. As regards Washi, he gets the ball to rip, to bounce. And he produces the drift as well, away from right-handers. Off-break is different from off-spin and in this art, the latest thriller which Washi has produced ranks very high. He has learnt a lot by bowling to Kiwi batters who are terrific professionals.

Bowlers keep developing, the learning process is unending. And if cricket lovers think Washi will claim a rich haul in each Test, that’s being unreasonable. A bit on his batting. He is reliable, and the kind of runs he has scored in the Ranji Trophy as well as the IPL have been very productive. India will need collective resources to be pooled in Down Under. Washington Sundar offers both, an ability to bowl without fear and bat bravely.