10 Facts about Washington Sundar that you need to know

Rising Pune Supergiant finally announced a replacement of their ace off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin who has been sidelined due to sports hernia. They have signed an unheralded off-spinning all-rounder Washington Sundar at the tender age of 17. Sundar hails from Tamil Nadu and came into the spotlight due to some noticeable performances in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

The Chennai lad has also played for U-19 India and performed exceptionally well. He appeared for trials in Pune this Monday and was subsequently signed by the franchise hours before their first game of the season. Here are some of the unknown facts about the teenager.

1. Early years

Washington Sundar was born in Chennai on October 5, 1999. He started playing cricket at the age of 11 in the second division league in Chennai.

2. Started as wicketkeeper-batsman

He started off as wicketkeeper-batsman but his school team at the U13 level opted for another keeper that prompted him to switch over to off-spin.

3. Playing Style

Sundar is a right arm off-spinner who bats left-handed. It is his bowling that has got him into the RPS ranks as he bowled well at skipper Smith in the nets and also reportedly castled the Aussie captain with a great delivery. Besides his bowling prowess, Washington is also a useful batsman who can get quick runs in the death overs.

4. Stint at MRF Pace Academy

At the age of 13, Sundar trained at this prestigious institute and impressed many, including the Globe Trotters coach M Senthilnathan, by his ability to handle quality bowling at such a tender age. He was immediately drafted into the first division cricket which boasts of great standards in Tamil Nadu.

5. Big Break

Sundar’s moment of reckoning came when he was first picked to be a part of India’s Under-19 squad in 2014 at the age of just 15 years. He then, two years later, played a key role in his team’s road to the finals of the 2016 ICC U-19 World Cup.

6. First class debut:

Following decent performances at the U-19 level, Sundar was handed the first-class debut on October 6, 2016, by Tamil Nadu. Though Sundar didn’t get a chance to bowl in his first game, he scored a solid 40 in the second innings as an opener which impressed many.

7. Tamil Nadu Premier League:

Sundar was picked up by Albert TUTI Patriots to take part in the inaugural edition of the Tamil Nadu Premier league in 2016. He impressed with his bowling ending the tournament with 11 wickets in 9 games at an average of 12 and an economy rate of 5.54.

8. Vijay Hazare Trophy

Washington Sundar was a part of the Tamil Nadu squad which recently won the Vijay Hazare and Deodhar Trophy. While he didn’t contribute much with the bat, he did a reasonable job with his off-spin bowling. His economy rate of 3.93 in these 9 games stood out as he did the containing job really well.

9. Competition with current India cricketer

Sundar appeared for RPS trials and competed with India and J&K all-rounder Parveez Rasool. Both are similar players though Sundar lacks in the experience department. Sundar being a left-hander and a player who would be easy on RPS’s purse finally got the nod ahead of Rasool.

10. Replaces R Ashwin

Sundar finally replaced R Ashwin when an official statement came out of the RPS camp hours before their first game. He now has the responsibility of filling the big shoes of one of India’s greatest spinner.