When I saw Washington Sundar bat on Test debut, I was amazed at how effortless he made it look despite batting at number seven.
In his short Test career, Sundar has looked very comfortable as a batsman compared to his off breaks which are far off from being consistent at red ball cricket.
As the IPL approaches in less than a month’s time, it’s the perfect time for Sundar to start developing his batting skills – which haven’t been properly utilised in the shorter formats.
Playing as a batsman first who could bowl a few overs of off spin isn’t something new to Sundar. In the 2016 ICC Under 19 World Cup, Sundar was batting in the middle order for the Indians.
On first class debut, Sundar hadn’t even turned 17 when he was opening for Tamil Nadu against Mumbai.
In the 2019 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Sundar batted majorly in the top three for Tamil Nadu, scoring 271 runs at an average of 54.2 as Tamil Nadu finished runners up in the tournament. Batting as an anchor, his ability to bat for as much time as possible in run chases on tricky wickets was excellent.
In this year’s edition of the IPL, Sundar will be playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore for the fourth consecutive year.
With his skipper Virat Kohli watching him bat from the Indian dressing room in the Tests against England, Kohli may be thinking of having Sundar bat at number three for the IPL. And here’s why it’ll work.
Sundar is not a power hitter
Sundar’s batting skills at RCB have been wasted down the order. More of a timer and worker of the ball, Sundar’s batting skills do not match the repertoire of a lower or middle order finisher.
Preferring to bat time before teeing off, Sundar’s skills with the bat suit at the top of the order and can ensure a collapse doesn’t ensue in a powerful Bangalore line-up.
Washington Sundar of India (Photo by Jono Searle/Getty Images)
Kohli can open
At number 3, Kohli has scored 2696 runs at an average of 36.93 and a strike rate of 123.84 in the IPL. Compare that to his IPL numbers as an opener: 2345 runs, 47.86 average, 140.17 strike rate.
Clearly Kohli’s impact as an IPL batsman is when he’s opening rather than coming at first drop. By Sundar batting at three, it allows Kohli and Devdutt Paddikal to go all guns blazing in the power play; knowing they have an anchor in Sundar who can bat through.
Sundar isn’t afraid of responsibility
If a 16-year-old can go open for their state on first class debut, then you know that they’ve got solid batting ability.
Sundar’s performances with bat and ball for RCB have been middling – not great but also not poor. By giving him the responsibility as a top order batsman, it gives Sundar more clarity on his role in the RCB side and will allow him to play more freely.
Now 21, Sundar is almost at a crossroads of whether he starts converting himself as a batsman at senior level – having been known as a batsman first who could bowl spin in the junior ranks.
Having impressed with the bat in Test cricket, it seems that Sundar will start taking his batting more seriously in all formats. Dinesh Karthik has given Sundar the platform to perform as a top order batsman for Tamil Nadu, especially in T20 cricket.
Will Virat Kohli do the same for Sundar at IPL 2021? Having Sundar bat in the top order will do more good than playing him as a finisher. It’s time the RCB coaches and leadership group back Sundar with the bat.
Paul
Roar Guru
We'll see soon enough. Again though, it's no big problem if he's not suite to IPL, I think he'll be playing plenty of Tests
Brian
Guest
His Test future is batting 6 or 7 behind Pant and bowling part-time spin. T20tricker because if he focuses on his batting he'll need to bat at something like No 3 but his bowling can be quite good for T20 so he could just as easily be a No 7 or even No 8 who plays primarily as a bowler who can also contribute with the bat
Gurlivleen Grewal
Roar Pro
Expect RCB to make the most hurried, impatient and worst tactical decisions. Picking Sams, Jamieson, letting go 2 in 1 player like deKock after 1 poor season would add to the list of crown jewels of fups. So not having high hopes for opportunities in which Sundar can flourish. His ideal team would be CSK, RR, KKR, SRH.
Targa
Roar Rookie
That's true but both Jamieson and Sams were terrible with the ball in the recent NZ-Aus series and India has got so many spinners that Zampa is not guaranteed. Even if he doesn't play it will be great experience for Allen learning from Kohli and De Villiers.
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
While he’s not a noted hitter, I feel Sundar can tee off when he’s set in the death overs. Simon Katich is coaching RCB and I believe he can make Sundar as a better batsman with his all round game (batting long periods, strike rotation, lower dot ball percentage, SR during death overs). Katich himself had a solid T20 career with the bat and Sundar can become the Indian Katich or so in T20 cricket.
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
Ye saw Allen being signed as phillipe’s replacement. Seems like he only got the gig since Hesson is involved with RCB. I don’t see him playing many games unless AB gets injured. AB, Maxwell, Jamieson/Sams and Zampa seems the RCB 4 overseas players in the XI
Targa
Roar Rookie
Someone who might ruin that plan is Finn Allen who's just replaced Josh Phillippe at RCB and hits the ball incredibly hard (was unlucky not to open for NZ v Australia).
Paul
Roar Guru
I think Sundar has two decisions to make, Arnab. The first is whether he's going to be a Jadeja type cricketer, who's considered a bowler first and a batsman second, or whether he wants to focus on his batting which, IMO, seems to be the stronger part of his game and have his bowling as a useful backup. The second is whether he's suited to short form cricket, even if he bats higher? You talked about him batting at 3 and anchoring the innings in IPL and with his technique, that makes sense, but the anchor still has to be able to score at 2 runs a ball or better in the dying overs and as you also said, he's not a noted hitter. I think he's got Test number 3 written all over him. Solid defence and not afraid to take on the quicks. Does he do a Pujara and focus on the long form of the game for the bulk of his career? As you say, this IPL season might be the making of him, but perhaps for different reasons.