Washington Sundar grills Rishabh Pant & Co. over failure on 'very good Guwahati pitch' vs South Africa

The young India National Cricket Team all-rounder, Washington Sundar, shared his views on the pitch on offer at Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati for the second Test match against South Africa.

Washington Sundar said that the surface was not a 'snake pit' and it was a good pitch to bat on, taking an indirect dig at the Indian batters, who failed miserably in the first innings.

Obviously, execution didn't go the way we wanted - Washington Sundar

Team India faced a humiliating loss at the hands of South Africa in the Test series opener at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, and are now on the verge of facing a whitewash.

SHORTS

View More

Your daily dose of cricket!

Loading...

In the Guwahati Test, India were bundled out for 201 in 83.5 overs in their first innings in response to South Africa's 489, with Kuldeep Yadav being the only player to play 100-plus balls in the innings.

India were mainly troubled by the lanky pacer Marco Jansen, who bagged a sensational 6-wicket haul and ran through the batting unit of the hosts. Simon Harmer bagged three wickets, and Keshav Maharaj got one.

"On another day, the bowlers would have gone into the stands and all of us would have appreciated and clapped. That's how it is. Sometimes you just got to back their plans and their skill sets as well," Washington stated after the end of the play on Day 3.

"Given the fact that they have shown a lot of proof and evidence in the past as well. I think it is just about them backing their skill sets. Obviously, execution didn't go the way we wanted," he added.

It wasn't uneven at all - Washington Sundar

Washington Sundar further denied the assumptions that the pitch was difficult to bat on, saying that there was no uneven bounce on the surface. He said:

"It wasn't a snake pit or whatever you may call it. It was a very good wicket. It was a true wicket. Not many days you will get to bat on such tracks, especially in India. Honestly, it is a true wicket. If you spend time there, runs are there for the taking."

"It wasn't uneven at all. He is obviously the tallest going around and he gets that bit of a sharp bounce off good length. We have played such bowlers quite a lot. Just on another day, we would have batted the same deliveries a lot better and it would have seemed like a very different scenario."

I would say I am the happiest to bat wherever the team wants me to bat - Washington Sundar

Washington Sundar was promoted to bat at No.3 in the Eden Gardens Test and was demoted to No.8 in the Guwahati Test. Talking about being constantly moved up and down in the order, Washington Sundar came up with a morally correct answer, saying:

"I would say I am the happiest to bat wherever the team wants me to bat. That way, it is a lot more exciting. This is a team game.

"Not at all (when asked if it's unsettling). Honestly, I really want to be the cricketer who steps up whenever the team requires and wherever the team wants me to bat and bowl. I have got to be ready and get things done for the team. That is the kind of mindset I am in.

"No matter what situation I am in, it is very exciting for me that way. I also get to play different roles. I don't think many get that opportunity. So, it is only exciting," his answer was reflective of the times when one would cling on to any role that the team is offering."

Also Read: Michael Vaughan strikes back at Wasim Jaffer after Marco Jansen destroys India in Guwahati