Debasis Sen, Colombo: India’s new bowling sensation Washington Sundar considers himself fortunate to possess the skills of taking wickets in the powerplay. Sundar, who took three wickets inside the first six overs against Bangladesh on Wednesday in the Nidahas Trophy match at R Premadasa Stadium said, “I have to admit I am fortunate to have this skill (taking wickets in powerplay). It is more of reading the batsmen’s mind in the powerplays. Every six balls, they will be looking to hit you at least for a four and six. It is important to read the mind. I myself am a batsman to an extent; I can suspect what he is thinking and where he is going to hit me. Things have been going well for me.”
Indeed, things have been going well for this young spinner from Tamil Nadu in the Nidahas Trophy. He has already picked 7 wickets, which is also the highest in the tournament so far at an economy rate of less than six.
On being asked how he has mastered the skills of bowling in the powerplay, Sundar said, “Back home, I play a lot of league games. Over there, couple of years back, we played a tournament. In that tournament , I used to bowl two overs in the powerplay and two overs in the death which was very difficult. These kind of things help me to get better as a cricketer. You want to keep facing those challenges and overcome.”
Talking about the challenges of bowling in this format, Sandar said, “It is definitely challenging. That is why you play cricket. You get the opportunity to represent the country. When you win those challenges, you get a lot of satisfaction. That is how I look at bowling at powerplays. It is a very good feeling when you bowl under 6 every game. Both the teams are pretty good in limited overs. This tournament has been going very well and hopefully, we can win in the final.”
On whether the challenges to play for the country putting him under pressure, Sundar said, “You will always be challenged when you play for the country. To face these challenges, you play cricket. It is a good feeling when you get over the line in powerplays as a spinner, which is very difficult. I am fortunate to get this skill in bowling in powerplays.”
Washington like every young spinner in the country, look up to Ravichandran Ashwin as an inspiration.
“Ashwin is not only my inspiration; he is an inspiration all over the country. He is a legend. He has inspired a lot of people. Last IPL was important for me and I learned a lot of things in the couple of months. It has been going well for me in the last few months,” signs off Sundar.