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The selection of Washington Sundar for the upcoming 2026 Asian Games in Japan has attracted a lot of debate in the Indian cricket circle, as media reports have claimed a clash of views between the head coach Gautam Gambhir and the head of the BCCI's Center of Excellence (CoE), VVS Laxman.
Selectors are forced to select two different sets of players because of two different events at the same time. The men's cricket event in Japan for the Asian Games and the West Indies cricket team's tour of India are both at the same time. So, the selectors have no option but to choose two separate squads.
Clash of thoughts between Gautam Gambhir and VVS Laxman
The squads will be coached by two different coaches: Gautam Gambhir to coach Team India for the series against West Indies and VVS Laxman to travel with the other group of players for the Asian Games. The two coaches come with different thoughts and different opinions, which makes the team selection more challenging for the selectors.
According to a recently published Dainik Jagran report, Laxman and Gambhir both want the spin-bowling all-rounder Washington Sundar in their respective team, and both have presented the reasons why they want to take Sundar along with them. For Washington Sundar, it will not be possible to play two different events at the same time.
Gautam Gambhir vs VVS Laxman: Clash over Washington Sundar’s selection
According to the Dainik Jagran report, Gautam Gambhir demanded Washington Sundar against the West Indies cricket team, as the ODI squad is likely to have five left-handed batsmen in the team. On the other hand, VVS Laxman, the coach of the Indian team for the Asian Games, also wants to include Sundar in the team for the same reason. There are two left-handed batsmen in the Nepal team.
Gautam Gambhir might have demanded for the spin bowling all-rounder for the multi-format series against West Indies, but whether Sundar will get the chance to feature in the T20I series remains in doubt, as he missed multiple matches with the Men in Blue in the recent past. But coaches will also want to secure a strong bench, and Sundar will definitely help the team to bolster the squad strength and squad depth.
Notably, Sundar is currently in India's Asian Games squad and is set to miss West Indies ODIs, but will return for 20-over games against the Men in Maroon.
⚡एशियाई खेलों की टीम में बुमराह का क्या काम
— Abhishek Tripathi / अभिषेक त्रिपाठी (@abhishereporter) September 19, 2026
⚡ चोट से लौटे बुमराह को एशियाई खेलों में आराम देकर वेस्टइंडीज सीरीज में उतारा जाना चाहिए था
⚡न्यूजीलैंड में टेस्ट सीरीज के लिए अहम साबित होंगे जसप्रीत
⚡ क्या बुमराह को एशियाई खेलों में उतारना वास्तव में जरूरी है या फिर उन्हें… pic.twitter.com/Pw7QKSzHUU
What will be BCCI's final call on the selection?
More than the future of Washington Sundar, the question is about the future of Indian cricket as well. India will enter the Asian Games as the defending champions and the favourite to defend the title, while the white-ball matches with West Indies will be crucial for the team's preparations considering the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Sundar himself recently returned from an injury layoff, so his workload management is also likely to be managed heavily by the BCCI and the team management. From the demands of coaches, it is clear that Gautam Gambhir and VVS Laxman are both keeping the 26-year-old on their wish lists. Sundar last featured for India on July 16 in Cardiff during an ODI match against England.
