Washington bounces back after failing Yo-Yo test
CHENNAI: Savouring his maiden call-up to the Indian team for the T20 series against Sri Lanka, allrounder Washington Sundar expressed gratitude to his father and coaches for shaping his cricketing career.
Sundar, who bats left-handed and bowls right-arm off-spin, was picked earlier this year as a replacement for injured Ravichandran Ashwin in Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) in IPL-10 and since then he hasn’t looked back, putting up impressive performances in whatever opportunities he got.
“It is a dream to be part of the Indian team. My father (Sundar) and coaches, including M Senthilnathan, have played a big role in shaping me as a cricketer,” Washington said.
The 18-year-old from Tamil Nadu said he was relieved to have finally cleared the ‘Yo-Yo’ test, having flunked it a couple of months ago.
“I worked hard after failing to clear the Yo-Yo test. Having got through now, it was a big relief,” he said.
Washington got a chance to bowl at top batsmen in the nets including RPS captain Steve Smith, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and IPL’s highest paid foreign player Ben Stokes.
A top-order batsman, he began bowling more on the advice of Indian Under-19 coach Rahul Dravid and played a key role in his state team, Tamil Nadu’s Vijay Hazare Trophy and Deodhar Trophy victories this season.
His father is overjoyed at his inclusion in the national T20 squad. “Washington did very well in the Under-19 World Cup and the selectors took notice. He bowled very well, especially in the final against West Indies.”