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Washington Sundar's disappointing outing in India's shocking defeat to Ireland has sparked fresh debate over his role in the T20I side. The all-rounder failed to make an impact, and India suffered an embarrassing 34-run defeat against Ireland in the first T20I match in Belfast on June 26.
After the match, a former Indian all-rounder has reacted to Sundar’s poor performance against Ireland. He believes that the Indian cricket team management is not getting the best out of Sundar. Ravichandran Ashwin reacted to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's India snub.
Washington Sundar's tough day ends in India's shock defeat
Defending a target of 183, India introduced Washington Sundar into the attack only in the 16th over. Bowling just one over, the off-spinner leaked 19 runs without taking a wicket. His expensive spell included a costly no-ball that George Dockrell smashed for six in Belfast.
Washington's struggles continued during India's chase. Batting at number six with the team already under pressure, he scored only 9 runs from 12 balls. He found it hard to score on the slow surface before mistiming a pull shot off debutant Matt Hollard to lose his wicket.
Ravichandran Ashwin questioned the way the Men in Blue have been using Washington Sundar. The former off-spinner has pointed out that Sundar is getting consistent backing from the selectors but he is being used in the wrong role, and that’s why he is struggling to make an impact.
Ravichandran Ashwin says India is misusing Washington Sundar
Ravichandran Ashwin told senior journalist Vimal Kumar on his YouTube channel: “They have backed Washington Sundar a lot. He has always been in place in the Indian team. They are backing him well. But his current role in the team is not ideal. Sometimes he doesn't even get an over.”
The cricket pundit said that Sundar should not be treated as a finisher because that is not his natural game, suggesting to the team management to use him as a flexible middle-order batter. He also wants India to complete his full quota of overs, similar to the way India earlier used Axar Patel under the Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma eras.
Ashwin noted, “During the World Cup, Axar Patel was the vice-captain. Yet, he was dropped, and Sundar got the chance against South Africa. That amount of backup Washington is getting. But they are using him as a finisher, and he is not a finisher. We should use him as a floating role like Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma were using Axar Patel. And it feels like a bit of a wrong role, utilization of Washington Sundar.”
Ashwin's advice for Indian team management
The former all-rounder also believes finger spinners like Washington should be introduced soon after the powerplay instead of being held back until the final overs. The former Indian all-rounder stressed that the only way to develop Washington into a dependable all-rounder is by giving him regular bowling spells and allowing him to build confidence with both bat and ball.
He signed off by saying, “If you are playing a finger spinner and you want to give a long rope to Washington Sundar, you should get him bowling as soon as the power play is over. You have to give him 4 overs. If you don't give him bowling, how will you identify whether he can grow into that dependable all-rounder? Aren't you surprised?”
Ashwin slams Team India's handling of Washington Sundar after Ireland stunned India
— Brutal Truth (@sarkarstix) June 27, 2026
"There is no role clarity in the squad. You have Washi in the playing XI, but he seldom gets to bowl his full quota of four overs. He is not the finisher the team is making him out to be. He… pic.twitter.com/e97lAak21B
