He has caught the attention by winning the man of the series award in recently concluded Nidhahas Trophy. Washington Sundar is being considered as the next big thing in limited overs cricket for India. The off-spinner from Tamilnadu gave an exclusive interview to CricketSoccer. com.
Here are the excerpts:
CricketSoccer (CS): Bagging the Man of the Series award in Nidhahas Trophy which was your very first overseas tour for the senior team, how is the feeling?
Washington Sundar (WS): It’s a very special feeling. Rightly said that it was my first overseas tour for the senior national team and it was only my second series representing my country at senior level. That’s why I feel very proud for grabbing the Man of the Series award. I will cherish this memory forever.
CS: You have to spearhead the Indian spin bowling attack along with Yuzvendra Chahal, in the absence of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravinder Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav. How was the experience?
WS: I am fortunate enough that the selectors showed faith in my ability. I was pretty confident that if I get some matches, I will prove my worth. Actually, I had a pretty good experience playing in last year’s Indian Premier League (IPL). It helped me to grow in confidence. I had the opportunity to play along with some great Cricketers in Rising Pune Supergiant last year. Nidhahas Trophy was a learning experience for me and I am happy that I could play the role given to me by the team management.
CS: You are bowling in the power plays regularly. How difficult is it for a spinner to bowl with the new ball in T20 cricket which is considered a batsman-friendly format?
WS: I don’t try to do anything extraordinary while bowling with the new ball. Generally, I analyse every batsman by minutely studying video of their batting and plan accordingly. I try to read a batsman’s mind i.e. when they attack or defend or which delivery makes them uneasy. Yes, as a spinner, it’s difficult to bowl in the power plays. But if you do your homework properly, things will fall into place.
CS: In international T20, you have an economy rate of just 5.66. How could you manage to restrain the batsmen?
WS: It’s difficult. I need to improve each and every day I take the field. Again I would say, reading the mind of the batsman does help me a lot. I feel proud of the rate of economy that I have in T20 Internationals. I am eager to continue bowling tight. I need to work harder for that.
CS: You have always been vocal about Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s contribution in your career. Could you please explain…
WS: I am a big fan of Mahi Bhai. I use to play with him in Rising Pune Supergiant in IPL. He always encouraged me. He is someone who told me to try some different things while bowling. He told me to bowl closer to the stumps as it gives a bowler more chances to deceive a batsman. I followed that advice and got benefited. As a wicketkeeper, Mahi Bhai has some decent idea about the line and length a bowler should bowl with.
CS: You have also played some good knocks with the bat in Indian domestic cricket. Does your efficiency with the bat give you extra mileage in T20 cricket?
WS: I keep myself prepared for every possible situation. If there is an opportunity with the bat, I am ready to leave a mark.
CS: You will get to play under Virat Kohli in IPL…
WS: I am honoured that the Royal Challengers Bangalore team management thought me fit for the job. The way Virat Bhaiya has been performing over the last couple of years, he has been a great inspiration for all of us. I am lucky to be a part of the RCB team. I am eager to play alongside AB de Villiers, Brendan McCullum.
CS: And what about your partnership with Yuzvendra Chahal in RCB?
WS: We complement each other. He is a leg spinner and I bowl off-spin. We share a very good understanding. Hopefully, our bowling combo will play a key role in winning the Trophy for RCB.
