IND vs SL: Though most of the buzz has been around Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, the other man who also announced his retirement after the T20 World Cup triumph was Ravindra Jadeja. Jadeja might not have been as successful as the two greats mentioned above in the shorter format, but the CSK all-rounder has often been one of India’s most trustworthy aids.
Having scored 500+ runs and 50+ wickets in the format internationally for India, Jadeja was an inevitable part of the Indian team. Though Axar Patel stands as the set all-rounder for India across all three formats, India would still look to have another backup option who can play the role of Jadeja whenever India needs someone like the spin-bowling all-rounder.
Under newly appointed coach Gautam Gambhir, who is all set to take a new team comprising a fresh bunch of talented players to Sri Lanka for the T20I format, Sri Lanka would also be looking for a player who can be an ideal replacement for the veteran all-rounder.
However, India has already started to experiment with the IPL’s talented batting all-rounders, Abhishek Sharma and Riyan Parag. Still, all these players have their prowess lying in the batting half, while Jadeja’s replacement would be expected to be more of a bowling all-rounder who can be counted on to bowl his entire spell.
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After India’s recent success on the Zimbabwe tour, India relished the success of Washington Sundar. Though Sundar has been given a chance to feature for India for several years now, he has never found the opportunity to be a part of their first-choice squad due to the presence of Jadeja. Having featured in India across all three formats, the 24-year-old has played over 70 matches in the blue shirt and was a part of India’s team that won the gold medal at the Asian Games.
Now that Jadeja is gone and the spot is open for several players, Sundar has the opportunity of a lifetime to fix his spot in Gambhir’s T20I squad for the Men in Blue. Targeting the next T20 World Cup in 2026, Gambhir will be looking to build his team, and just like the Zimbabwe tour, if Washington continues with his stunning form, he can be the most ideal replacement for the departing veteran.
