I remembered a conversation I had with a sales & marketing guru some time ago. One of the aspects discussed was about the introduction of a new product in the market. He elaborated on the various steps taken and the factors assessed before a new product is introduced. The product needs to pass through rigorous protocols, guidelines and SOPs of the company. But still the biggest stumbling block would be answering the question from the retailer, “Which one of your current products on the shelf do I remove?” Apparently, the new product might not hit the retailers’ stands for a while if the answer lacks conviction.
One might ask, “How is the gist of that conversation relevant here?” Think of a cricketer who has been given opportunities now and then. He goes on to perform well in all formats in the sporadic chances he has been given so far. Still, the question “Which one of the regular guys to drop for Washington Sundar?” seems to linger in the air. The thing is that Washington (Sundar is his father’s name) is by no means a new product that needs to be introduced. He has time and again proven his mettle under pressure in white and red ball cricket. But the coaches have not been able to allocate a place for him on the shelf. This has gone on for some years now, and Washington has quietly moved on to his mid 20’s in life.
At 25 years of age, Washington is a tried, tested and proven product. So, where and why is he hitting the roadblocks? One of the reasons is that he has not been categorized correctly. To me, he is a batting all-rounder, who has the wherewithal to be a top order batter and bowl well. The reservations in some quarters will be that his strike rate as a batter is not great in the T20 format. But responsibility will make him find ways and means to crank up his strike rate. We have seen Abhishek Sharma work out methods to score quickly at the top of the order. So, it is possible if individuals put their minds to it, and Washington can do it.
Washington started his cricket as a top order batter and off spin was his ancillary skill. His ability to generate extra bounce excited Rahul Dravid and he made Washington bowl regularly. The flip side was that his batting talent was getting overlooked because he did well with the ball. To make significant contributions under extreme pressure in test cricket requires ability and temperament. Washington has demonstrated time and again that he possesses those attributes in good measure. He must be hoping that his ability will be recognised and will be given a regular slot up the order. But that has not happened till now and it doesn’t look like happening soon either.
Washington, on his part, needs to display his keenness to bat higher up the order. Of course, it is not the time to make lofty demands in the Indian team. But he can always make his claim in the State side and bat higher up the order. Abhinav Mukund insisted that he opened the batting when we were discussing the other potential slots for him. He told me this emphatically in the early stages of his career. The discussion happened after he scored a double hundred for the India U-19 side, batting in the middle order. Washington is a senior statesman in the TN dressing room now, and surely, he will get his preferred spot. This will benefit him and as an extension, the TN side as well.
Team India has not had a top order batter who can bowl for a while and Washington can fill that huge gap. A top order slot will not be alien to him and his off spin will come in handy even in test cricket. He had a 7-fer in the series against New Zealand, but he can’t be labelled as a match winning off spinner in tests yet. However, the norm has been to play a multi-dimensional cricketer in the eleven when India plays abroad. We saw that happen even in Australia and may well be continued in England as well. Washington will be a good option in tests abroad provided he is given a main batting slot.
As they say, it takes two hands to clap. The team management needs to be convinced, and Washington needs to convince the team management. The big question is, who will make the first move? I will say that the first roll of the dice should come from Washington. He needs to show that he wants to play at the top of the order for Team India. Otherwise, the think tank may not even consider the possibility. Washington may have waited long enough to be recognised, but the time has come for him to force the issue. After all, the player should display the desperation and inclination to even stand a chance. If Washington bats at the top for his State and churns out loads of runs, he will only cause pleasant headaches for the support staff of Team India. The question is, does Washington want to do it?
He has a lazy playing Grace like you . Unless TN wins the Ranji Trophy our players will never be in the limelight.
Nicely put, if Washy opens the innings or bats high up the order for Tamil Nadu it will be beneficial for both the parties…Washy was considered as a spin bowling replacement option as long as Ashwin was heading the department. With Ashwin retired from all forms of the game for the country, this is the time the powers that be should give Washy a lengthy term to express himself even more and to cement his place as a genuine all rounder who can deliver both as a batsman and spin bowler.
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Would you think a bit more agility and ability to hit 6’s at will will help him stake his claim to be a certainty in every T20 game, be it IPL or for Team India?