Cricket commentator and pundit Harsha Bhogle has indirectly criticised Sunrisers Hyderabad for not giving Washington Sundar enough chances in the playing XI during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season. Sundar played only two matches in the IPL 2024 and took a solitary wicket at an economy rate of 14.60.
Recently, Sundar had an excellent series against Zimbabwe where he took 8 wickets in five matches at an average of 11.62 and an excellent economy rate of 5.16. He emerged as the second highest wicket-taker in the series and was also adjudged Player of the Series.
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Harsha Bhogle takes a dig at Sunrisers Hyderabad
Harsha Bhogle congratulated Washington Sundar for winning the Player of the Series award and hoped he would find an IPL team where he could play more matches.
“I’m delighted to see @Sundarwashi5 being named Player of the Series. He has a lot to contribute to Indian white-ball cricket. Hope he finds an IPL team that will give him more opportunities,” Sundar posted on X (formerly Twitter).
I was very happy to see @Sundarwashi5 being named Player of the Series. He has a lot to offer to Indian white-ball cricket. I hope he finds an IPL team that will give him more opportunities.
– Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) July 14, 2024
Washington Sundar has been in India’s plans for quite some time now. The off-spinner was seen as a replacement for Ravichandran Ashwin in white-ball cricket but his career was severely affected due to untimely injuries.
The all-rounder has played 48 T20Is for India and has picked up 42 wickets at an average of 25.26. Despite bowling the tough overs in the powerplay, the young off-spinner has an economy rate of 6.95. He is also a decent batsman but has not been given enough opportunities to contribute with the bat so far.
Washington Sundar is not a regular member of SRH’s starting XI
Despite being a quality all-rounder who can contribute with both bat and ball, Sundar is not a regular member of Sunrisers Hyderabad’s playing XI. He joined Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2022 and played actively in the 2022 IPL season for the franchise. But he has played only nine matches in the last two seasons and has been used primarily as an impact player in the IPL.
But his limited opportunities in the IPL did not affect the selectors’ confidence in him as he was picked for India’s tour of Zimbabwe where he returned with a Player of the Series performance.
Sundar has played 60 career matches in the IPL and has picked up 37 wickets at an average of 35.81 and an economy rate of 7.54. He is a bowler who keeps the flow of runs under control and is known for his accuracy and length. With the bat, he has scored 378 runs at a best total of 40.
With India touring Sri Lanka for their upcoming T20I series, Sundar has made a strong impression on the selectors with his performance against Zimbabwe. He could come in handy on the spin-friendly surfaces in Sri Lanka.