Former Indian opening batter and commentator Aakash Chopra has questioned the Indian team management, headed by Gautam Gambhir, for giving constant chances to Washington Sundar despite not being utilized as a bowler.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra reasoned that despite not being a proper all-rounder, Sundar has been carried in the Indian ODI XI. He went on to add that someone like Tilak Varma can also roll his arm for a few overs and bat better than Sundar.
“If Washi’s bowling numbers don’t improve, why would you carry him? If he is not bowling, he is not an all-rounder. If he has to only bat, Tilak Varma can also do that, or someone else can do that. Plenty of things might actually happen, but it’s not a bad suggestion,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
“I am very curious because when Tilak is playing, it’s asked why he is being played and why he has been made the vice-captain, as his numbers against spin have become bad, and that he should be dropped and Rajat Patidar should be brought in his place,” he noted.
“Tilak’s name isn’t there in ODI cricket. Washi’s name is there, and he gets a lot of chances to play. He is mostly expected to bat, or else he delivers as a batter, not as much as a bowler. It’s a valid question because if you are searching for a batter who can bowl a few overs, Tilak will also bowl as many overs, and Tilak will bat better than Washi,” he concluded.
Notably, Sundar has been ruled out of the third and final ODI against England at Lord’s on Sunday, July 19. The Indian all-rounder needed treatment for an injury to his leg during the second ODI in Cardiff and did not take the field for the chase. Kuldeep Yadav is expected to make it to the XI in Sundar’s place.
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