Former Indian batting coach Sanjay Bangar reckons the selectors and team management can afford to carry Washington Sundar in the World Cup even if he is not totally fit. Bangar reckons Sundar’s services might not be needed from the get-go as other players have the same skill-set.
India has Axar Patel in their squad, who is also the team’s vice-captain. Furthermore, Shivam Dube and Hardik Pandya are the seam-bowling all-rounders in the team.
Sundar suffered a side strain while playing in the first ODI against New Zealand and he was later replaced by Ayush Badoni. Ravi Bishnoi was then added as replacement in the T20I squad for the series against the Kiwis.
“At this moment, it doesn’t seem like he will be required straightaway because, overall, you have very good spin all-rounders. Axar Patel is top of the list over there. As Aakash Chopra said, you also have the option of Tilak Varma, who can also bowl off-spin,” Sanjay Bangar said on Star Sports.
“So his absence will not be felt as much as it could have been, and because of that, I feel he will be given a little more time and it should be given as well. You can take a replacement mid-tournament as well, if he is not available at all,” he added.
On the other hand, former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra concurred with Bangar and said the selectors can wait as Sundar is unlikely to be part of the playing XI.
“If he had been a part of the starting XI, for example, had it been Axar Patel or Varun Chakaravarthy, you would have had to take a call now. However, since Washi plays only conditions-applied, if you get left-handers in the opposition or the pitch is like that, you can wait for him,” he said.
Chopra said the spin-bowling all-rounder should retain his fitness ahead of the Super Eight stage.
“So I am with Sanjay (Bangar) that there is no issue for the first 13 days. Three matches will keep happening every day and the first group will get over till then. You have to be available for the Super Eights. You cannot say that he will be available for the semi-finals if he is not available for the Super Eights. That’s a bridge too far. I won’t go till there,” Chopra explained.
India will begin their T20 World Cup campaign against the USA on February 7.
