Washington wins powerplay battle fair and square

CHENNAI: In what turned out to be a run-fest in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) tweaker Washington Sundar spun a web around the Mumbai Indians (MI) top-order and remarkably delivered a miserly spell in the powerplay.

Although a mammoth 420 runs were spread across 42 overs at the Dubai International Stadium on Monday, 20-year-old Washington conceded a mere 12 runs in his quota of four overs for Bangalore, which edged out Mumbai in the ‘Super Over’. The Chennai-based lad also picked up the prized scalp of MI captain Rohit Sharma in his very first over.

Off-spinner Washington, who turned up for the virtual post-match presser, was delighted that he was entrusted with sharing the new ball. “I am glad that captain Virat Kohli has got so much confidence in me. I am happy that I was given the role. Coming into the game, I did some planning. Right now, I feel very good,” Washington told reporters.

“I enjoy bowling in the powerplay overs. It is fun when two great batsmen are at the crease and only two fielders are outside the 30-yard circle. But, the challenge is to keep doing well. There are a lot more games coming up. I should be able to do well and win games for Bangalore,” added the India international.

While Washington astonishingly came up with a boundary-less spell, the rest of the RCB slow-bowling department – comprising leg-spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Adam Zampa – was taken to the cleaners by Ishan

Kishan and Kieron Pollard at the end. But, the youngster said that the Indo-Australian duo would bounce back in the coming games. “Both of them are stars in their respective countries. They have been doing really well, especially in the last few years. It wasn’t easy to bowl with so much dew. They have got a lot of experience and are going to win matches for RCB,” Washington sounded confident.

Against Mumbai, the ever-reliable AB de Villiers was handed the wicketkeeping gloves as Josh Philippe was relieved of his duty. Washington pointed out that the presence of de Villiers as a stumper lends more balance to RCB. “He will do whatever the team needs him to do. He is more than happy. When he keeps wickets, the team can have an extra batsman or bowler depending on the composition.”