Washington Sundar: India's Rising All-Rounder

In the high-octane world of international cricket, few players manage to embody calmness quite like Washington Sundar. While the modern game often rewards brash aggression and flamboyant displays of emotion, Sundar operates on a different frequency. He is the quiet technician in a noisy room, the player who seems to have ice in his veins when the stadium is burning with pressure.

My first real memory of noticing his unique temperament wasn't during a massive six or a wicket-taking delivery, but during a lull in play in the famous Gabba Test of 2021. While seasoned veterans looked anxious, a young Sundar, making his debut, looked like he was playing a club match in Chennai. That composure has become his hallmark. Whether he is opening the bowling in a T20 powerplay or stitching together a match-saving partnership in Test cricket, his approach remains refreshingly cerebral.

From Chennai to the World Stage

The journey of washington sundar is a testament to the robust cricketing infrastructure of Tamil Nadu. Born in Chennai, a city that breathes cricket, he was named by his father M. Sundar in honor of P.D. Washington, a mentor who had supported the family during tough times. This unique name was perhaps the first sign that this boy was destined to stand out.

Unlike many all-rounders who start as fast bowlers and later learn to bat, or batsmen who roll their arm over, Sundar began as a specialist top-order batsman. The shift to off-spin happened almost by necessity and later became his primary ticket into the Indian Premier League (IPL). This batting DNA is evident every time he walks to the crease. He doesn't just slog; he drives with elegance, cuts with precision, and constructs an innings with the maturity of a specialist batter.

Watching him bat reminds me of the classical left-handers of the past—there is a languid grace to his cover drive that feels almost therapeutic amidst the chaos of T20 cricket. It is this dual capability that makes him such a rare commodity in Indian cricket: a genuine bowling option who can hold his own in the top six.

The Art of Powerplay Bowling

One of the most difficult skills in white-ball cricket is bowling spin during the powerplay. With only two fielders outside the circle and batsmen looking to clear the infield, it is a graveyard for many spinners. Yet, this is where Sundar thrives. He has carved a niche for himself as a powerplay specialist, a role usually reserved for swinging fast bowlers.

His height is his greatest asset here. Standing over six feet tall, he extracts bounce that shorter spinners cannot. He doesn't rely on prodigious turn; instead, he relies on accuracy, subtle variations in pace, and cramping the batsman for room. It’s a game of geometry and patience. He forces the batter to take risks against balls that aren't quite there to be hit.

In a recent IPL season, I recall watching him tie down some of the world's most destructive openers. He wasn't beating them with magic balls; he was defeating them with dot balls. The frustration on the batter's face is usually the first victory for washington sundar. By drying up the runs when the field restrictions are on, he creates wicket-taking opportunities for his teammates at the other end. It’s a selfless, often underappreciated role, but one that captains value immensely.

The Gabba Miracle and Test Credentials

You cannot discuss Sundar without revisiting the historic Border-