Indian all-rounder Washington Sundar’s Test century against England in 2025 during the fourth Test at Old Trafford has ignited discussions about his inconsistent selection, with his father, M. Sundar, publicly criticising the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selectors for overlooking the 25-year-old’s potential. Sundar’s gritty 101 not out, alongside Ravindra Jadeja’s 107 and Shubman Gill’s 103, secured a dramatic draw for India, keeping the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series alive.
The Tamil Nadu cricketer’s performance, coupled with his 7/59 against New Zealand in 2024, shows his value as a versatile off-spinner and batsman, yet his limited opportunities remain a point of contention.
Born in Chennai on October 5, 1999, Sundar, named after his father’s mentor P.D. Washington, began his cricket journey at age four, initially as a batsman before excelling as an off-spinner. His first-class debut for Tamil Nadu in the 2016-17 Ranji Trophy showcased his potential, followed by a maiden century against Tripura in 2017.
Sundar’s international breakthrough came in 2017 with ODI and T20I debuts against Sri Lanka, making him India’s youngest T20I player at 18 years and 80 days.
His standout performance in the 2018 Nidahas Trophy, where he claimed eight wickets to earn Player of the Series, cemented his reputation as a powerplay specialist with an economy rate below 6 runs per over.
In the IPL, Sundar debuted for Rising Pune Supergiant in 2017, replacing Ravichandran Ashwin, and took 3/16 in a qualifier against the Mumbai Indians, earning Player of the Match.
Sundar’s Test career, though, has been stop-start, with only 13 matches played by 2025, largely due to India’s spin-heavy lineup featuring Ashwin, Jadeja, and Kuldeep Yadav.
His unexpected Test debut at The Gabba in 2021, as a net bowler thrust into action, saw him score 62 and claim Steve Smith’s wicket, contributing to India’s historic Border-Gavaskar Trophy win.
In 2024, his 11/115 against New Zealand in Pune, including a maiden ten-wicket haul, marked him as a key all-rounder. Yet, injuries and inconsistent selection have limited his opportunities, with his father lamenting to The Times of India that Sundar is often dropped after one or two failures, unlike peers like Yashasvi Jaiswal, who enjoy longer runs.
In the 2025 England series, Sundar’s inclusion as the second spinner proved pivotal. His century in Manchester, batting at No. 5, followed near misses of 85 not out and 96 not out against England in 2021.
However, his exclusion from the first Test at Headingley drew criticism from his father, who argued that Sundar’s 44.86 Test batting average and 27.88 bowling average deserve consistent backing.
Social media, including Reddit’s r/Cricket, echoed this sentiment, with users noting Sundar’s ability to bowl economically and bat resiliently, though some criticised his reluctance to rotate strike with tailenders, as seen in matches against New Zealand and England.
His four-wicket haul at Lord’s in 2025 further showcased his bowling prowess, despite initial underuse by captain Shubman Gill. Sundar’s IPL journey reflects similar inconsistencies.
After a stellar 2017 with Rising Pune Supergiant, he joined Royal Challengers Bangalore for INR 3.2 crore in 2018 but struggled for regular game time.
His 2022 move to Sunrisers Hyderabad saw limited opportunities, with only seven matches in 2023. In the 2025 IPL auction, Gujarat Titans acquired him for INR 3.2 crore, where his 48 off 24 balls in the Eliminator against Mumbai Indians highlighted his batting flair.
Yet, his father criticised Gujarat Titans for sporadic use, contrasting it with the Rajasthan Royals’ support for Jaiswal. In domestic cricket, Sundar’s 459 runs and 15 wickets in the 2017 Tamil Nadu Premier League earned him top honours, reinforcing his all-round credentials.
The Washington Sundar BCCI selection debate has fuelled calls for a fixed batting position, ideally at No. 5 or 6, to maximise his contributions. His ability to bowl tight lines, extract bounce due to hisitsch 6-foot-1 frame, and bat with a solid defensive technique makes him
Fans praise his grit, while critics argue his bowling lacks the incisiveness of Ashwin or Jadeja. With India facing England in the fifth Test, Sundar’s recent performances, including a controversial dismissal by Gus Atkinson where he hesitated to leave the crease, have kept him in the spotlight.
