Cricket enthusiasts with a long-standing interest may recall Greg Chappell’s attempt to develop Irfan Pathan into a true all-rounder by promoting him to the top order. Unfortunately, this strategy did not yield the desired results, leading to Chappell’s departure as India’s coach after losing the backing of prominent players. Consequently, Pathan’s pace diminished, and he eventually lost his position on the national team amid uncertainty regarding his role. In contrast, Washington Sundar, an off-spinner rather than a left-arm pacer—a rare find in Indian cricket—faces a similar ambiguity regarding his position. The selectors and teams he represents appear uncertain whether he is primarily a batsman who bowls occasionally or a bowler who can contribute valuable runs.
The prevailing sentiment around Sundar seems to suggest that he is the go-to player for various situations: he is called upon when India struggles on challenging home pitches, brought in to salvage a Test match in England, relied upon during top-order collapses, and included to provide additional spin options while bolstering the batting lineup.
Despite his all-round capabilities, Sundar has participated in only 17 Tests and 29 One Day Internationals since making his debut in December 2017.
In the current IPL season, Sundar’s franchise appears to be grappling with how best to utilize him. He has bowled just 4.1 overs across three matches for the Gujarat Titans, not bowling at all in their match against the Rajasthan Royals. He batted at No. 5 in the first two matches without making a significant impact, but in a recent game in Delhi, he batted at No. 4—ahead of Glenn Phillips—and scored a quick-fire 55 off 32 balls. However, in a match against the Punjab Kings, he batted after 14 overs as the team sought to set a competitive score, and in the match against the Royals, he came to bat with less than eight overs remaining while chasing a target of over 200 runs.
When Sundar first emerged, he was recognized as a promising bowler in the T20 format and was often utilized during the Powerplay. He notably dismissed Rohit Sharma three times in their encounters in the IPL. However, his off-spin bowling, which has the potential to be effective due to his high release and consistent line, has become somewhat overlooked. The last occasion he took more than two wickets in a Test match was at Lord’s in mid-2022.
Sundar has also struggled to secure a consistent spot in the batting order. Following a match-saving century in England while batting at No. 5, he was unexpectedly slotted in at No. 3 during the home series against South Africa, only to bat at No. 8 in the subsequent Test, despite performing reasonably well given the broader struggles of the Indian batting lineup.
For a team that keeps a match-winner like Kuldeep Yadav on the sidelines for an entire five-match series, questions arise about whether Indian cricket fully understands how to leverage an all-round talent like Washington Sundar.
Tushar Bhaduri, a seasoned sports journalist with The Indian Express based in Delhi, has dedicated 25 years to journalism, with 20 of those years focused on sports reporting.
His expertise encompasses a wide range of sports, with a focus on overarching trends and their implications within the sporting world. Throughout his career, he has covered numerous significant global sporting events.
Bhaduri is recognized for his analytical writing style, often delving into topics such as governance, sportsmanship, and tactical developments in cricket, golf, and hockey.
His recent articles reflect his diverse interests, covering everything from the business side of golf to major international cricket tournaments:
Golf and Athlete Ventures:
- “In turf battle of golf leagues, Kapil Dev and Yuvraj Singh in opposite camps” (Dec 11, 2025) — An exploration of the rivalry between new golf leagues backed by Indian cricket icons.
- “Golf’s glittering stars in India: Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood… battle for $4million prize” (Oct 14, 2025) — Coverage of India’s biggest golf tournament to date.
Cricket and World Cups:
- “How rains in Colombo helped India stay alive in the ICC Women’s World Cup” (Oct 22, 2025).
- “Champions Trophy: How Glenn Maxwell brain-fade proved costly” (Mar 4, 2025) — An analysis of a critical moment in the IND vs AUS match.
- “IPL 2025 Qualifier 1: In PBKS and RCB, the league’s underachievers look to take one step closer” (May 28, 2025).
Thought Pieces and Policy:
- “Sportsmanship is going out of fashion” (Oct 8, 2025) — An opinion piece on the blurred lines between passion and provocation in various sports.
- “Can the Italian Open really become the fifth Grand Slam in tennis?” (May 20, 2024).
Olympic Sports:
- “Paris Olympics hockey: Why the defeat to Belgium ushers in hope and optimism for India” (Aug 1, 2024).
Bhaduri frequently writes about IPL strategies, ICC tournament planning, and profiles of emerging talents like Vaibhav Suryavanshi. He also has a keen interest in historical sports narratives, including the legacy of Dhyan Chand.
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