Former India player turned veteran commentator Aakash Chopra has applauded Washington Sundar for bowling a stunning spell on Day 4 of the third Test against England. He stated that the spin-bowling all-rounder picked up big wickets, although he added that Ben Stokes isn’t considered a threat with the bat now as well. However, Washington registered figures of 4/22 in 12.1 overs as India bowled England out for 192 in their second innings at Lord’s.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel ‘Aakash Chopra,’ he said, “It was an important question whether he should have been selected or not. He hadn’t picked up too many wickets so far. It always seemed like you were using him as a defensive option. However, this was an ‘ati-sundar’ spell. He gets the ball to drift beautifully,” Chopra said.
“When he dismissed Ben Stokes in the last match, there also he got the ball to drift in the air. If you see here, he has picked up big, big wickets, players we are scared of. No one is scared of Ben Stokes these days, but we are scared of Joe Root and Jamie Smith,” he further added.
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“Joe Root missed a sweep. Consistently bowling within the three stumps is important, and he did that. He trapped Jamie Smith. The ball went away. That was brilliant. What should one talk about Ben Stokes? He tried to hit a six, and incredibly, he has scored 33 runs in the second innings in all three matches,” he shared.
However, Aakash Chopra added that Washington Sundar’s spell was important as Akash Deep’s spell (1/30 in eight overs) wasn’t too helpful, Jasprit Bumrah (2/38 in 16 overs) didn’t have much to do, and Ravindra Jadeja (0/20 in eight overs) wasn’t among the wickets as well.
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“Washington Sundar, four wickets, I think extremely important, keeping in mind that Akash Deep didn’t get success, Bumrah didn’t have luck with him, and Ravindra Jadeja is not really getting the wickets. Jaddu is batting very well, but hasn’t picked up too many wickets,” he said.
“Washington Sundar picking up wickets here will be great validation for Gautam Gambhir and Shubman Gill, because there was a question for sure about him being played ahead of Kuldeep. Everyone knew he would score runs, but picking up wickets was necessary, and slightly difficult as well. So, Washington, well done,” Aakash Chopra concluded.
