Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik has praised Rohit Sharma’s decision to bring Washington Sundar in the attack on the 45th over when Odean Smith was at the crease for West Indies. Heading into the last six overs of the match, West Indies needed 48 runs with two wickets in hand. Smith looked dangerous, having struck two sixes and a four in his innings as well.
But, Sundar despite getting hit in his previous spell, Rohit backed him and the bowler dismissed Smith in the last ball of the over while conceding only three. Applauding Rohit for the courageous move at the important moment in the game, Karthik said during a discussion on Cricbuzz: “I really liked Rohit’s move of bringing Sundar on when Odean Smith was going good. That was a brave move. It was a very interesting one to bring the off-spinner on with the right-handers in play. He (Rohit) is willing to throw a bit of a bait.”
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He also gave credit to Sundar for keeping his cool in a tense situation, he added: “The beauty of Sundar is that he is able to absorb pressure. You know the batter is going to go after you. So you need some skill and talent. That is the captain and bowler camaraderie blossoming.”
Meanwhile, former South African fast bowler Shaun Pollock has expressed his concern over Sundar’s lack of effectiveness against right-handers.
Explaining his stance, the Proteas legend said: “The only concern for me having watched the bowling line-up was Washington Sundar. The guys behind the scene need to help him come up with a game plan. Once the left-handers are on strike, you can see how comfortable he is. (But) he was just too predictable against right-handers, darting it back of a length. They were able to get on to him.”
Pollock further added: “He needs to work on changing the angle every once in a while. If he goes on to surfaces that are flat going forward, he needs to have that confidence that he has a little bit more up his sleeve.”
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However, Sundar claimed 3/30 in the first ODI and 1/28 in the second as well. Apart from claiming one wicket, he also scored 24 as well. The third and final ODI will take place in Ahmedabad on Friday, February 11.
“He’s pretty sorted as to how he feels he should captain the side. You will see more and more of his kind of style implemented as the games go on. Rishabh Pant at the top of the order would have been something to do with Rohit and the way he wants to play. I think he is in a good space with his captaincy,” he concluded.
