Revealed: Why is Washington Sundar not bowling in Manchester Test?

Team India skipper Shubman Gill has come under scrutiny during the third day (Friday, July 24) of the fourth Test match at Old Trafford in Manchester. Gill has been trolled by fans and former cricketers for not utilizing Washington Sundar, who impressed in the previous Test, despite other bowlers struggling.

England resumed their first innings on Day 3 at 225/2. The Indian bowling attack failed to make a breakthrough in the morning session, despite rotating all bowling options, including Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. However, the Indian skipper is yet to give the ball to Washington Sundar in the session.

Why is Washington Sundar not Bowling in the Manchester Test?

RevSportz journalist Rohit Juglan shared an update suggesting that Washington Sundar might be carrying a niggle, as visible taping was spotted on his bowling arm.

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Sundar had just returned from the dressing room, raising speculation that the possible discomfort could be the reason he hasn’t been brought into the attack yet.

"Is that taping on his bowling arm is the reason why he is not bowling PS - He just came in from dressing room #washingtonsundar #ENGvIND," he wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).

Is that taping on his bowling arm is the reason why he is not bowling
PS - He just came in from dressing room #washingtonsundar #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/kWwhRrdsUq

— Rohit Juglan (@rohitjuglan) July 25, 2025

India Haven't Done the Research Well Enough at Old Trafford - Michael Vaughan

Michael Vaughan, speaking on BBC Test Match Special, criticized India's team selection for the Manchester Test, adding that they misread the conditions at Old Trafford. He pointed out that the pitch typically rewards genuine pace or spin.

"India haven't done the research well enough at Old Trafford. There's two things that work here - real quality spin or pace. Kuldeep Yadav should have been played and Prasidh Krishna bowls 10 mph quicker," Vaughan said.

"I have to say Jasprit Bumrah has looked okay and playable today. He hasn't got that oomph that he got out of the surface at Lord's when he bowled that incredible spell and it's the pace that Bumrah is not able to generate unlike Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer," he added.

Washington Sundar’s Minimal Bowling Role Raises Eyebrows

Washington Sundar’s limited involvement with the ball has drawn attention once again in the ongoing series against England. He was India’s most economical bowler at Lord’s, yet the off-spinner continues to be underused.

India were thoroughly outplayed in Manchester — a rare low point in an otherwise competitive tour. Sundar’s spell on the fourth day of the Lord’s Test had brought India back into the contest. However, India narrowly lost by 22 runs.

Sundar broke through by dismissing Joe Root, Jamie Smith, and Ben Stokes in quick succession. His figures of 4 for 22 in just over 12 overs showcased his control and impact, making his continued underuse all the more baffling.

A similar situation arose during the Boxing Day Test in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, when Sundar wasn’t introduced into the bowling attack until the 53rd over. prompting backlash from both fans and cricket analysts.

Also read: Gautam Gambhir receives instructions not to play with Jasprit Bumrah's career