Washington Sundar is an Indian international cricketer who plays as a left-handed batsman and right-arm off-spin bowler. He represents Tamil Nadu in domestic cricket and has been a regular member of the Indian national team across formats. He came into prominence as a versatile all-rounder capable of bowling in the powerplay overs in limited-overs cricket and contributing useful runs in the lower middle order in Test matches.
| Full name | Washington Sundar |
|---|---|
| Born | 5 October 1999, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Batting | Left-handed |
| Bowling | Right-arm off-break |
| Role | All-rounder |
| Domestic team | Tamil Nadu |
| IPL franchises | Rising Pune Supergiant, Royal Challengers Bangalore, SunRisers Hyderabad |
| National team | India |
| Father | M. Sundar |
Background
Washington Sundar was born in Chennai to M. Sundar, a club-level cricketer. His unusual first name was given in tribute to P. D. Washington, a benefactor who supported his father's early cricketing career. He attended St. Bede's Anglo-Indian Higher Secondary School in Chennai and rose through the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association's age-group system.
He initially developed as a top-order batsman in junior cricket before transitioning into a frontline off-spinner in senior limited-overs formats, particularly to bowl in the new-ball overs.
Domestic career
Sundar made his first-class debut for Tamil Nadu in the 2016–17 Ranji Trophy season. He played a notable role in Tamil Nadu's run to the Vijay Hazare Trophy title in 2016–17, finishing among the leading wicket-takers in the tournament. He has since been a fixture in Tamil Nadu's white-ball squads and has also represented India A.
Indian Premier League
Sundar was signed by Rising Pune Supergiant for the 2017 IPL season as a replacement player. He made his IPL debut at the age of 17 and impressed with his powerplay overs in the Supergiant's run to the final. He was subsequently bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore, where he served for several seasons as a powerplay specialist off-spinner. Ahead of the 2022 mega auction, he was acquired by SunRisers Hyderabad.
International career
Limited-overs debut
Sundar made his Twenty20 International debut for India in December 2017 against Sri Lanka, becoming one of the youngest players to feature for India in the format. He made his One Day International debut shortly thereafter and was a member of India's squad at the Nidahas Trophy in March 2018, where he was named Player of the Tournament for his economical spells in the powerplay.
Test debut and Brisbane heroics
Sundar made his Test debut during India's 2020–21 tour of Australia, in the fourth Test at the Gabba in Brisbane in January 2021. Coming in with India fielding a depleted side due to injuries, he scored 62 in the first innings, sharing a crucial partnership with Shardul Thakur. India went on to win the Test and the Border–Gavaskar Trophy, in what is widely regarded as one of the team's most celebrated overseas victories.
England series 2021
In the home series against England in early 2021, he scored an unbeaten 96 in the fourth Test at Ahmedabad, narrowly missing a maiden Test century when the innings closed. He has since faced periods out of the side due to injuries, including a finger injury sustained in 2021 that affected his bowling availability.
Playing style
Sundar is known for his accuracy and control as an off-spinner, particularly inside the powerplay in white-ball cricket, where he restricts run-scoring rather than relying on heavy turn. As a batsman, he is a composed left-hander capable of building partnerships and playing the long format game, qualities that have led to his deployment in the lower middle order in Tests.
Significance
Sundar represents a generation of Indian all-format cricketers groomed through the Tamil Nadu domestic system and the IPL. His Brisbane Test contribution in 2021 is regarded as a defining moment in Indian Test history. His use as a powerplay off-spinner has also been credited with influencing how Indian teams have deployed finger-spinners in the shortest formats.