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Washington Sundar’s disappointing performance in India’s shock defeat to Ireland has sparked fresh debate over his role in the T20 team. The all-rounder failed to make an impact as India suffered a humiliating 34-run defeat against Ireland in the first T20I in Belfast on June 26.
After the match, a former Indian all-rounder has reacted to Sundar’s poor performance against Ireland. He believes that the Indian cricket team management is not getting the best out of Sundar. Ravichandran Ashwin reacts to Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s defeat to India.
Washington Sundar’s tough day ends with India’s unexpected defeat
Defending the target of 183 runs, India included Washington Sundar in the attack in the 16th over itself. Bowling just one over, the off-spinner gave away 19 runs without taking any wicket. His costly spell included an expensive no-ball which George Dockrell hit for a six in Belfast.
Washington’s struggle continued during the Indian pursuit. The team was already under pressure and batting at number six, they scored only 9 runs in 12 balls. He struggled to score runs on a slow pitch before missing a pull shot off debutant Matt Hollard and losing his wicket.
Ravichandran Ashwin questioned the way the Men in Blue are using Washington Sundar. The former off-spinner has pointed out that Sundar has been getting consistent support from the selectors but he is being used in the wrong role and that is why he is struggling to make an impact.
Ravichandran Ashwin says India are misusing Washington Sundar
Ravichandran Ashwin told senior journalist Vimal Kumar on his YouTube channel, “He has supported Washington Sundar a lot. He has always had a place in the Indian team. They are supporting him well. But his current role in the team is not ideal. Sometimes he doesn’t even get an over.”
The cricket pundit said that Sundar should not be seen as a finisher as it is not his natural game, suggesting the team management to use him as a flexible middle-order batsman. He also wants India to bowl their full quota of overs, just like India had earlier used Axar Patel in the era of Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma.
Ashwin said, “During the World Cup, Axar Patel was the vice-captain. Still, he was dropped, and Sundar got the chance against South Africa. Washington Sundar is getting so much backup. But they are using him as a finisher, and he is not a finisher. We should be using him as a floating role like Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma were using Axar Patel. And it feels like using Washington Sundar is a wrong role.”
Ashwin’s advice to Indian team management
The former all-rounder also believes that finger spinners like Washington should be introduced immediately after the powerplay rather than being held back till the final overs. The former Indian all-rounder insisted that the only way for Washington to develop into a reliable all-rounder is to give him regular bowling spells and allow him to build confidence with both bat and ball.
He signed off by saying, “If you are playing a finger spinner and you want to give a long rope to Washington Sundar, you should make him bowl as soon as the power play is over. You have to give him 4 overs. If you don’t bowl to him, how will you identify whether he can develop into that dependable all-rounder or not? Aren’t you surprised?”
Ashwin criticizes Team India’s way of handling Washington Sundar after Ireland stun India
“There is no clear role in the team. You have Vashi in the playing XI, but he rarely gets a chance to bowl his full quota of four overs. He is not the finisher that the team is making him out to be. He… pic.twitter.com/e97lAak21B
— Brutal Truth (@sarkarstix) June 27, 2026
