Former Indian batsman VVS Laxman has heaped praise on young talented all-rounder Washington Sundar.
The player from Tamil Nadu has impressed with his batting skills and Laxman stated that Sundar has a temperament of a top-order batsman. The left-hander played a fine knock of 96 runs in the fourth Test match against England and took India to a commanding position.
Sundar first added a magnificent alliance of 113 runs with Rishabh Pant, where he played a role of a second fiddle. Subsequently, he added a fine partnership of 106 runs with Axar Patel as he did the lion’s share of the scoring. However, Sundar went on to miss a well-deserved century by four runs.
This was Sundar’s third Test fifty as the left-hander has impressed with his batting skills. The 21-year old had scored 62 runs in the first innings of the Brisbane Test against Australia and had played a key role in getting India back in the contest with Shardul Thakur.
Subsequently, Sundar scored an unbeaten knock of 85 runs in the first Test match against England. The off-spinner didn’t have to do a lot of bowling as Axar Patel and Ravichandran Ashwin did the bulk of the damage however he was able to deliver the goods with the bat.
Meanwhile, Sundar has shown great batting technique in his four Test match career as he has scored 265 runs at an impressive average of 66.25. In fact, a lot of cricket boffins believe that Sundar can get a batting promotion if he continues to bat in a similar fashion.
“He used to play as an opener at the age-group level and he had a century in first-class cricket before this match. I feel he has the temperament of a top-order batsman. You can have the shots but your mindset decides if you can perform against a good bowler. The technique and footwork he showed against the bouncers clearly show that he can become a complete player,” said Laxman while talking to Star Sports.
“His strength is the off-side but he can play the pull shot also very well. The way he uses his wrists against the spinners and his feet to play the shots down the ground, I feel he is a complete batsman,” added Laxman.
Laxman added that Washington will be disappointed as he couldn’t get to three figures. India lost their last three wickets within five balls without scoring any run as Sundar was left stranded on 96.
On the other hand, India’s chief coach Ravi Shastri has stated that Sundar has more ability than he had and he should bat at number four while playing for his state team, Tamil Nadu.
The first T20I between India and England will take place in Ahmedabad on March 12.
