Legendary Indian national cricket team player Harbhajan Singh has praised the team management for preferring Washington Sundar over Ravichandran Ashwin.
Washington Sundar has been considered as the first-choice bowler by the coaching staff led by Gautam Gambhir and Harbhajan Singh has opined that they are doing the right thing in preparing Sundar for the future.
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Washington Sundar selected over Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin in Perth Test
Sundar was selected over veterans Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja in the first match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 against the Australian national cricket team in Perth.
The 25-year-old started as the only player in the lineup and did a decent job for the team in the match. With the bat he recorded scores of 4 and 29 and with the ball he recorded figures of 0/1 and 2/48.
He got the nod ahead of the seniors because he impressed everyone with his performances in the home Tests against the New Zealand national cricket team.
He participated in two home tests against the Black Caps, where he recorded scores of 18*, 21, 38* and 12. With the ball, he proved to be a turning point, as he recorded figures of 7/59, 4/ 56, 4 /81 and 1/30.
But now he is at that stage, at the age of 38 – Harbhajan Singh
Speaking to the media, Harbhajan Singh praised Ashwin for doing a phenomenal job for India over the years, but said he is 38 years old and the team management needs to prepare his backing.
“I think that is the long-term plan (of the team management and the selectors). Ravichandran Ashwin has done a phenomenal job playing for India by taking all those wickets in his career,” Harbhajan told PTI.
“But now that he is at that stage, at the age of 38, that is why they have kept Washington Sundar with them (for) when R Ashwin retires. The team believes that they have to prepare Washington, so I think they are working on the same path,” Harbhajan Singh said.
Bumrah is an amazing player – Harbhajan Singh
The spin bowling legend also praised paceman Jasprit Bumrah for having a calm personality and leading India from the front.
“Bumrah is an incredible player and of course he has a great mentality. I have been a big supporter of Bumrah since day one and he has that kind of very calm personality.
“He knows his game and is one of those guys who is a very nice person in the locker room. He commands a lot of respect in the locker room, so when a person like that leads you from the front, the team obviously follows,” Harbhajan Singh said.
Meanwhile, Harbhajan Singh was delighted with KL Rahul’s performance in the Perth Test and said that he is a quality player. He stated:
“KL Rahul… we talk a lot about him, that KL is not making runs, this doesn’t happen to him or that doesn’t happen to him, but in the end, you see, if you give a player a (long) run, he is a player. quality, KL Rahul, and I am very happy for him.”