IND vs SA 2025: 'It's a lot more exciting' - Washington Sundar addresses India's batting shuffle

Indian bowling all-rounder Washington Sundar has insisted that he is happy walking out to bat at any position at which the team needs him to. Sundar has batted at No. 5, 8, 9, 7, 3, 3 and 8 in his last seven Test innings under Gautam Gambhir as head coach.

Sundar revealed that he has no complaints regarding his fluctuating batting positions. Instead, he expressed excitement to serve as a dynamic player in the squad.

"I'd say I am the happiest to bat wherever the team wants me to bat. That way, it's a lot more exciting. This is a team game. Honestly, I really want to be the cricketer who steps up whenever the team requires and wherever the team wants me to bat and bowl. I've to be ready and get things done for the team. No matter what situation I'm in, it's very exciting for me that way. I also get to play different roles. I don't think many get that opportunity. So, it is only exciting," stated Sundar, as quoted by India Today.

He also commented on the nature of the pitch in Guwahati. Contrary to multiple opinions, Sundar felt the pitch did not serve up much difficulty for batters. He also noted that on another day, the Indian batters would have dealt with Marco Jansen's bowling a lot better.

"It wasn't a snake pit or whatever you may call it. It was a very good wicket. It was a true wicket. Not many days do you get to bat on such tracks, especially in India. If you spend time there, runs are there for the taking. It wasn't uneven at all. He's [Marco Jansen] obviously the tallest going around and he gets that bit of sharp bounce off the good length. We've played such bowlers quite a lot. On another day, we would've batted the same deliveries a lot better and it would've seemed like a very different scenario," he added.

Sundar has been a positive with the bat, despite the constant shuffling in his batting order. In a low-scoring thriller at the Eden Gardens, he scored 29 and 31. However,, India lost the match by 30 runs.

India are on the backfoot on Day 4 with South Africa having extended their lead post the 500-run mark. It seems highly unlikely that they will be able to level the series, considering the time left and the Proteas' lead.