‘He’s the bright spot of this tour’ : Wasim Jaffer heaps praise on the youngster after completion of New Zealand tour

Team India faced a 1-0 defeat in the three-match ODI series against New Zealand on Wednesday after the third ODI of the series got washed out in Christchurch. The ‘Men-in-Blue’ had a forgettable day with the bat as they were bundled out for 218 within in 47.3 overs. In reply, the Kiwis were set for a convincing victory as they were 104/1 after 18 overs when rain interrupted the game. New Zealand had won the first ODI of the series convincingly by seven wickets.

However, despite losing the series, Washington Sundar’s comeback was a rare positive for the side on the tour. The spin all-rounder made important contributions with the bat in the first and third ODI, registering scores of 37* and 51 respectively.

Seeing Sundar’s remarkable comeback, former Indian opener Wasim Jaffer believes that Sundar should be groomed for the 2023 ODI World Cup as India have a lack of all-round options in their squad. Sundar was named in the Indian team after Ravindra Jadeja was ruled out with an injury.

“He’s the bright spot of this tour. He came back after the injury and put in a show. He batted beautifully in both ODIs, and he can bowl in the Powerplay as well. He is very young, he can mature and become a better cricketer,” Jaffer said on ESPNCricinfo.

In this team, you don’t see a lot of batters who bowl : Wasim Jaffer

“If you see the team in the 2010s and before, a lot of batters used to bowl. India had that luxury where Sachin, Sehwag, Yuvraj, and Ganguly used to bowl. In this team, you don’t see a lot of batters do that. It is unfortunate when Jadeja and Pandya don’t play, India find their sixth and seventh option missing. If the bowlers don’t perform, India find themselves wanting in that department. So, India do need to look at this going into the 2023 World Cup,” Jaffer further said.

In his short career, Sundar has already played several match-winning knocks in his Test Career averaging 66 with the bat in four matches and having three half-centuries to his name. In Odis, he has amassed 145 runs in four innings at an average of 48 having one half-century to his name.