Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has referred to as on head coach Gautam Gambhir to supply Washington Sundar with clear route forward of the third and closing ODI towards South Africa in Vizag. The three-match collection has seen Sundar battle to make any significant affect, elevating contemporary issues over how the crew administration intends to make use of him. Sundar has been shuffled across the batting order within the first two video games, strolling in at No.5 within the collection opener earlier than being pushed all the way down to No.6 within the second match. The uncertainty has been mirrored in his returns: scores of 13 and 1, and a mixed seven overs with the ball, with no wicket. His restricted involvement has added to the controversy surrounding his place within the XI.
Ashwin, talking on his YouTube channel, mentioned Sundar must be dealt with as a main bowler who can contribute with the bat, not the opposite means round. “When you resolve to play Washington Sundar, it’s essential to deal with him as a bowler who can bat,” Ashwin mentioned. “He must get his full set of overs. Solely then will he assume like a bowler who can bat. If he’s simply batting and bowling a number of overs, he’ll hold trying to find who he’s. Don’t depart him in that house. Give him correct function readability.” Ashwin additionally highlighted India’s lack of ending energy with the bat. Regardless of being 284 for 4 after 40 overs within the second ODI, India ended with solely 358. He questioned whether or not the crew is likely to be higher served with a fast-bowling all-rounder akin to Nitish Kumar Reddy in Sundar’s place. “India haven’t completed properly in each video games,” he mentioned. “With out somebody like Hardik Pandya, why wasn’t a strong finisher like Nitish Kumar Reddy tried? I’m unsure in the event that they see Rishabh Pant as a finisher. India are lacking that punch on the finish. Ought to a fast-bowling all-rounder play as a substitute of a spinning one?” Ashwin added that, with India’s bowling sources depleted, this crew might recurrently want an additional 30–40 runs to really feel secure, notably if Jasprit Bumrah isn’t obtainable. “We’ve misplaced many skilled bowlers in Exams and white-ball cricket,” he mentioned. “The X-factor is Bumrah. If he isn’t a full-time a part of the squad, India should rating 30 to 40 additional each match.