Washington Sundar trying carrom ball in the nets

The 18-year-old Washington Sundar who is currently playing for the Rising Pune Supergiant in the IPL has been hogging the limelight with his off-break bowling, especially in the powerplay overs. Sundar’s primary job is batting at the top order but such has been his destiny, the youngster has got the opportunity to rub shoulders with some of the greats of the game because of his bowling.

He has bowled very well and has been a sensible option for Steve Smith especially in the powerplay. The teenager has conceded runs at an economy rate of only 7 runs per over which has caught the eyeballs of the critics. A free flowing left-handed batsman, Sundar came into the reckoning during the U 19 World Cup but has made a name for himself as an off spin bowler especially during the power play when the spinners are generally most vulnerable.

He came in as a replacement for Ravichandran Ashwin and it was a huge shoe to fill. He has done a reasonable job and such has been his confidence that Sundar revealed during his interaction with Hindu that he is currently trying out the carom ball in the nets. “I am trying out the carrom ball at the nets. There are times when I am able to bowl it properly. Will bowl it in a match when I have perfected it,” Sundar said.

The offie revealed that he did feel the nerves when Steve Smith told him about his inclusion in the next in the game against the Sunrisers Hyderabad.  “There was pressure in the beginning but all that disappeared once I entered the ground. I wanted to enjoy the game, the crowd, the atmosphere, wanted to give my best. I play hard but basically, I am a pretty chilled out person,” said the teenage all-rounder.

He conceded that Dhoni and Steve Smith always encouraged him and went up to speak with him during crucial junctures of the game. “Dhoni sir would come to me and suggest changes in the field. He would encourage me. Smith would have a word with me from time to time. Travelling with a team that has so many fantastic players has been a great experience. Then I have bowled to men such as McCullum and Warner,” Sundar said.

“I have a game-plan against each batsman, watch their videos. If I bowl to my plan, I know I can pull it off,” he further added. He also revealed that in his early days, he didn’t concentrate on is bowling but it was his father M. Sundar and his mentor and former Tamil Nadu batsman M. Senthilnathan who urged him to give time for his bowling which is paying off rich dividends now.

‘I did not take my bowling seriously earlier. But it was Senthil sir and my father who asked me to focus more on my bowling,” Sundar quipped. He also loves listening to AR Rahman songs when he is relaxing off the field.