Legendary India National Cricket Team off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has lauded the team management for preferring Washington Sundar over Ravichandran Ashwin.
Washington Sundar has been looked at as the first-choice off-break bowler by the Gautam Gambhir-led coaching staff and Harbhajan Singh has opined that they are doing the right thing by preparing Sundar for the future.
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Washington Sundar selected over Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin in the Perth Test
Sundar was selected over the veterans Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 opener against Australia National Cricket Team in Perth.
The 25-year-old started as the sole spinner in the line-up and did a decent job for the side in the match. With the bat, he registered scores of 4 & 29 and with the ball, he registered figures of 0/1 and 2/48.
He was given the nod ahead of the seniors because he impressed everyone with his performances in the home Tests against the New Zealand National Cricket Team.
He featured in two home Tests against the Black Caps where he registered scores of 18*, 21, 38*, and 12. With the ball, he turned out to be a game-changer as he registered figures of 7/59, 4/56, 4/81 and 1/30.
But now that he is at that stage, at the age of 38 – Harbhajan Singh
Speaking to the media, Harbhajan Singh praised Ashwin for doing a phenomenal job for India over the years but said that he is 38 and the team management needs to prepare his backup.
“I think that’s what their (team management and selectors’) long-term plan is. Ravichandran Ashwin has done a phenomenal job playing for India in taking all those wickets in his career,” Harbhajan told PTI.
“But now that he is at that stage, at the age of 38, so that’s why they have kept Washington Sundar with them (for) whenever R Ashwin will retire. The team thinks that they have to prepare Washington, so I think they are working on the same path,” Harbhajan Singh said.
Bumrah is an amazing player – Harbhajan Singh
The spin-bowling legend also showered rich praise on pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah for having a calm personality and leading India from the front.
“Bumrah is an amazing player, and of course, he has got a great mindset. I have been a huge supporter of Bumrah from Day One and he has got that very calm kind of personality.
“He knows his game and he is one of those guys who is a very likeable person in the dressing room. He commands a lot of respect in the dressing room so when such a person leads you from the front, the team obviously follows,” Harbhajan Singh said.
Meanwhile, Harbhajan Singh was delighted with the performance of KL Rahul in the Perth Test and said that he is a quality player. He stated:
“KL Rahul… we talk so much about him, that KL is not making runs, this is not happening for him or that is not happening but in the end, you see, if you give a (long) run to a player — he is a quality player, KL Rahul — and I am so happy for him.”