It’s Quite Surprising That People Don’t Recognize That He Grew Up As A Batsman: Ravichandran Ashwin On Washington Sundar

Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has hailed his fellow Tamil Nadu cricketer Washington Sundar as a ‘special batsman’ and someone who works really hard on his batting.

For the second time in the recently-concluded Test series against England, Washington Sundar came up with a clutch performance with the bat courtesy a brilliant 96.

Washington missed out on a well-deserved ton as India lost its last three wickets within a space of 5 balls, leaving him stranded at 96.

The 21-year-old in his brief Test career has displayed what an able batsman he is. His temperament and strokeplay has been top-notch and a lot of cricket fans have actually been surprised with his batting.

Ashwin, who has seen Washington Sundar from close quarters, isn’t surprised though. He is, however, astonished at the fact that people do not recognize his batting talent and they forget that he actually grew up as a batsman who could bowl.

“It is quite surprising because Washington bowled in some of the IPL franchises and he shot with them because of his bowling in the powerplay. It’s quite surprising that people don’t recognize that he grew up as a batsman all his life who could bowl,” said Ravichandran Ashwin.

The 34-year-old Indian off-spinner, who was adjudged the ‘Player of the Series’ for the 8th time in his career for his 32 wickets and a hundred, said that Washington Sundar loves his batting and he has had discussions with the young all-rounder around how he should look to bowl more often.

“I am not surprised at all because I have batted with him. He works hard on his batting and we have discussions around how he should look to bowl more often. He loves his batting and he is quite a special batsman, I am not surprised at all,” he added.

Washington Sundar has been brilliant with the bat for India ever since he made his Test debut against Australia at the Gabba. He scored an eventual match-winning half-century during the 123-run-stand he stitched with Shardul Thakur in the first innings of the Gabba Test and followed it up with a brilliant cameo in the second as India chased down a record 328 to seal the series.

Washington missed out on scoring his maiden Test hundred on two separate occasions against England. He was left stranded on 85 in the first innings of the 1st Test in Chennai and the same thing happened on the third morning of the last Test.

Also Read: Washington Sundar’s Father Reacts After His Son Misses Out Narrowly On A Maiden Test Hundred