Washington Sundar delivered a valuable all-round performance in India’s massive innings-and-300-run victory over Afghanistan in the one-off Test at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh. The Tamil Nadu all-rounder made an impact with both bat and ball, further strengthening his reputation as one of India’s most dependable red-ball utility players.

In the first innings, Washington Sundar showed his batting class with an unbeaten 52 off 68 balls. His knock included five fours and one six and helped India keep control of the contest after the top order had laid a strong foundation. With the ball, he bowled only 6.4 overs in Afghanistan’s first innings and picked up one wicket, but his real influence came later in the match.

Sundar was at his best in the second innings, where he ran through the Afghanistan batting lineup with excellent control and discipline. He finished with figures of 4/36 in 11 overs, playing a major role in wrapping up the game inside three days. His spell helped India complete one of their biggest-ever Test wins and underlined his growing value in the longest format.

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Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar was full of praise for Sundar’s performance, highlighting the flexibility he offers the team with both bat and ball. Speaking on Star Sports’ Follow the Blues, Gavaskar said Sundar is the kind of cricketer every captain wants in the side because he can bat anywhere in the order and contribute with the new ball as well.

“I think you want somebody like a Washington Sundar in your team because he can bat at any order. You can give him the new ball, and he will bowl with the new ball,” Sunil Gavaskar said.

He also praised Sundar’s ability to bowl a disciplined line whenever the team needs control. “If you want him to bowl a tight line, he will do that for you. He is such a team player, and every captain would love to have Washington Sundar in his team,” he added.

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Gavaskar further recalled that Sundar’s batting talent has been known for years. He pointed to the 2021 England series, when the all-rounder scored two 90s, and also remembered his crucial lower-order resistance alongside Ravindra Jadeja in a famous save for India. On a surface that was not easy for batting, Gavaskar felt Sundar’s unbeaten half-century was another reminder of his growing importance to Team India.