Washington Sundar likely to mark comeback with Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy

India all-rounder Washington Sundar has been named in the Tamil Nadu squad for the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, which is set to begin on November 4. Sundar suffered a finger injury during a warm-up match against Select County XI in England, He was subsequently ruled out of the five-match series and also the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).

After a successful rehabilitation, the all-rounder is fit and raring to go during this year’s Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Tamil Nadu are the defending champion and have naturally maintained the core of the squad.  Dinesh Karthik is leading the side yet again and will have the likes of Vijay Shankar, T Natarajan, and Shahrukh Khan. Natarajan, who is recovering from COVID-19, will have to prove his fitness.  Injuries have played a big part in the left-arm pacer missing more matches for team India during his short international career.

Meanwhile, all-rounder Shankar has fallen off the selectors’ radar, after some dismal returns with both bat and ball. The SRH all-rounder also didn’t have favorable IPL for his team in the Indian leg and has not got chances in UAE leg either for being in close contact with Natarajan who acquired COVID-19. Shankar would be hoping to make an impression during the domestic T20 tournament.

T Natarajan and Washington Sundar hoping to prove their fitness

On the other hand, T Natarajan as well as Sundar would be hoping to prove their fitness during India’s long home season.  After the conclusion of the T20 World Cup, India are set to host New Zealand for two Tests and T20I series starting from November 17. Given the bio-bubble fatigue and mental health, the selectors will be looking to include a fresh set of players.

Natarajan and Sundar are vital members in all three formats of the game for India and their good performances in the domestic season might help them to get back into the team.

Tamil Nadu Squad: Dinesh Karthik (capt), Vijay Shankar (vice-captain), Washington Sundar, T Natarajan, Sandeep Warrier, R Sai Kishore, B Aparajith, N Jagadeesan, M Ashwin, Shahrukh Khan, Hari Nishaanth, M Siddharth, Ganga Sridhar Raju, M Mohammed, J Kousik, R Sanjay Yadav, R Silambarasan, R Vivek Raj, B Sai Sudharsan, P Saravana Kumar