Washington Sundar has more natural ability than I had: Ravi Shastri

Washington Sundar has had a great start to his Test career. He made his debut in the memorable Test against Australia at the Gabba a couple of months back and then put in a match-winning all-round performance — five wickets and a fifty — to propel India to victory.

The 21-year-old didn’t get a chance to bowl much in the recently concluded home series against England but he made an impact with his batting once again with scores of 85* and 96* in Chennai and Ahmedabad respectively.

India head coach Ravi Shastri is highly impressed with the character and temperament Sundar has shown at such an early stage of his career and he thinks that the youngster has more natural ability than Shastri himself had at a similar age.

“He has the ability and he belongs at this level and he can go a long way. If he could focus on his bowling (in Tests), India could have a very good number six for overseas conditions,” Shastri told in a virtual media conference.

“Someone who can get you those 50s, 60s and 70s and then bowl for you 20 overs and can pick up 2-3 wickets. That was my role overseas (during whole of 1980s) and I think he can do that role easily,” the Indian head coach added.

“Definitely, he should be batting in the top four for his state. There is no question about that. I would like to have a word with Tamil Nadu selectors or DK (captain Dinesh Karthik) for that matter. I think he should be batting in the top four,” he further said.

All three of Sundar’s fifties have come in situations where India were under immense pressure. In fact, he was very close to getting his maiden hundred in the final match of the series against England but a collapse of the the Indian tail denied him that opportunity. It was still an excellent innings considering that India’s World Test Championship Final berth was on the line. Shastri reiterated the same.

“Washington Sundar, this is unreal. Facing some of the toughest bowlers in the world. I would say this innings was far better as the WTC was on line,” Shastri said.