"Gauti bhai likes his…": Gautam Gambhir’s 'Washington Sundar' obsession explained by family member

The star India National Cricket Team all-rounder Washington Sundar's sister, Shailaja Sundar, has explained why head coach Gautam Gambhir provides proper backing to the young Tamil Nadu star.

Shailaja Sundar said that Gautam Gambhir trusts Washington Sundar because of his ability to perform well, irrespective of the situation.

Washington Sundar shines in Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy

The 25-year-old all-rounder Sundar has got a very high ceiling as he possesses great batting ability, and with the ball, he can be the game-changer.

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There is no doubt that Sundar is a favorite of the Gautam Gambhir-led team management, as he has been given the premier spin-bowling all-rounder role in the Test team after the retirement of Ravichandran Ashwin, with Axar Patel being dropped.

Sundar featured in four out of five matches in the recently concluded Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025, and he repaid the faith of the team management.

He was not picked in the playing XI for the series-opener at Headingley in Leeds, but was slotted in the side for the remainder of the matches.

Despite the calls for the inclusion of Kuldeep Yadav, Gautam Gambhir showed more faith in Washington Sundar and believed in the all-rounder to get the job.

In eight innings with the bat, Sundar scored 284 runs at an average of 47.33, including a match-saving century at Old Trafford in Manchester. With the ball, he bagged 7 wickets at an average of 38.57, an economy of 3.64, and a strike rate of 63.57, including a game-changing spell at Lord's.

The kind of opportunities Gautam Gambhir gave Washi in recent times has been fantastic - Washington Sundar's sister

Speaking to NDTV's Tea, Toast and Sports Podcast, Shailaja Sundar, Washington's sister, said that the all-rounder has been able to perform well because of the support he is getting from Gambhir.

"I think it's fantastic and the way Gauti bhai (Gautam Gambhir) is supporting or encouraging a youngster like Washi so that he is able to perform at that level. I think Gauti bhai likes his ability to perform in whatever situation he is thrust into, soak up the pressure well."

"The kind of opportunities Gauti bhai gave Washi in recent times has been fantastic. And I think Washi is also making the best use of it. He has also been performing really well. He's vindicating Gauti bhai's trust," Shailaja said.

I only wish their wonderful bond grows - Shailaja Sundar

Shailaja Sundar further said that she is hoping that the bond between Gautam Gambhir and Washington Sundar grows and they bring more success to Team India. She said:

"I only wish their wonderful bond grows, for the best of the Indian cricket team. I think both of them are working to give their best, to bring the best result."

Shailaja also revealed that she used to open batting with Washington Sundar when they used to play together, and it gave their team a left-right advantage. She said:

"We used to play together and open the innings for our team. I'm a right-hander and he's a left-hander. The right-left combination used to work. We used to build really good partnerships. All of those are lovely memories now."

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