Ravindra Jadeja’s Test replacement finalized even before his retirement

Former India National Cricket Team batting coach Sanjay Bangar has identified a replacement for the veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja in the Test team even before his retirement.

Sanjay Bangar said that the 25-year-old Washington Sundar can be the ideal replacement for Ravindra Jadeja once the latter says goodbye to the longest format of the game.

Washington Sundar stars in Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025

Sundar is well-liked by the Gautam Gambhir-led team management, and he has been given consistent opportunities since the new head coach came to the helm.

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With the inclusion of Washington Sundar in the Test set-up, Gautam Gambhir phased Axar Patel out and gave the youngster a crucial role as a spin-bowling all-rounder in the Test team.

The youngster has also repaid the faith of the Indian team management and has contributed significantly both with the bat and ball from time to time.

In the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025, Washington Sundar produced a magical spell of 4/22 with the ball in the Lord's Test and then slammed a sensational century at Old Trafford in Manchester to help India draw the game.

Also, in the ongoing series finale at Kennington Oval in London, Sundar has been in top form as he blasted an epic fifty (53 runs off 46 balls) to rattle the English team in India's second innings with bat and powered the visitors to 396 runs.

Also Read: Watch: ‘Angry’ Ravindra Jadeja nearly punches and destroys stumps after Oval Test dismissal

Washington Sundar named Ravindra Jadeja's perfect replacement

Sundar's all-round heroics have impressed everyone, and one of them is the former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar, who said that the Tamil Nadu star is ready to become the main spin-bowling all-rounder once Ravindra Jadeja retires. He elaborated:

"When the time comes, when he moves on, you certainly have a player who can very quickly progress in the role that Ravindra Jadeja is doing for the team now."

"What you saw in the last-wicket partnership was the striking abilities of Washington Sundar. Initially, he had restrictive areas to score. He was very strong through the off side - whatever I remember of him in the earlier times. But, he has developed a very good leg side game as well. He has opened up scoring areas.

"The very fact that he had that mindset of helping India to extend that lead and play in that cavalier manner means here is a guy who is willing to do various things for his team," he added.

Washi has done a phenomenal job - Aakash Chopra

The cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra also hailed Washington Sundar for batting exceptionally well with Prasidh Krishna during the end stages of the Indian innings. He said:

"Washi has done a phenomenal job. He batted extremely well. He played excellent shots. He hit sixes. It's difficult to bat with the tail. Real class is required for you to actually hit boundaries there because you don't get them easily, but he was very, very good."

Talking about Ravindra Jadeja, the veteran all-rounder has had his best-ever series with the bat in the ongoing England tour as he finished with 516 runs at an amazing average of 86. Also, with the ball, Ravindra Jadeja has bagged 7 wickets and can add more to his tally.