How Washington Sundar has gained more than Axar Patel in absence of Ravindra Jadeja

Washington Sundar was one of the best players named in the India squad for the T20I as well the ODI series in Sri Lanka. The all-rounder silently waited for his chance until the third T20I, and made an impact good enough to play a key member of the ODI squad in the absence of Ravindra Jadeja.

The senior all-rounder was a surprise omission from the ODI squad, and it was later only confirmed by chief selector Ajit Agarkar that the 35-year-old has been rested and not dropped.

How Washington Sundar has gained more than Axar Patel in absence of Ravindra Jadeja?

Washington Sundar has made the most of the opportunity in the absence of Ravindra Jadeja, and made sure that he is not completely overlooked completely once Jadeja returns.

In the dead rubber third T20I, Washington Sundar was brought in place of Axar Patel and the off-spinner pounced on the opportunity to score 25 off 18 while batting at number eight, and the pick four wickets including two in the Super Over.

India were five down for 48 in the match, and 105/7 when Washington Sundar took charge and smashed two fours and a six to help India post 137/9.

Later, he registered figures of 2/23 in four overs, helping India make a sensational comeback, and then picking two wickets for two runs on the first four balls of the Super Over, facilitating an Indian win. He was adjudged Man of the Match as India won the series 3-0.

Picked in the first ODI, the Tamil Nadu cricketer scored five runs after being promoted at number four, and picked one wicket for 46 runs in 10 overs. The match ended in a tie.

India lost the second ODI by 32 runs on Sunday, but the 24-year-old impressed once again. He emerged as India's best bowler, picking three wickets for just 30 runs. The wickets he picked were of - Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis and Charith Asalanka - all key and set Sri Lanka batters.

He was not sent up to bat this time, but as the Indian innings collapsed amid spin mayhem from host Sri Lanka, Washington Sundar braved 40 balls to score 15 runs. Only Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill and Axar Patel scored more runs than the southpaw in the match.

Washington puts a strong case for himself, toss in ODI between Jadeja and Axar?

In fact, the management would now be tempted to have Washington Sundar as a permanent spin-bowling all-rounder in the team, and once again choose one between Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel in the ODIs.

In the ongoing series, Axar has scored 77 runs and picked three wickets from two matches. He has got starts with the bat both times but failed to convert them into a big score. His batting has improved leaps and bounds in the last couple of years, and this can put him in the race ahead of Jadeja.

Washington has the potential to bat and brings variation in the spin department. Left-arm spinners Axar and Jadeja fail to do that, and one among them can be picked to play alongside Washington and Kuldeep Yadav in spin-friendly conditions. The Champions Trophy 2025, and the next T20 World Cup 2026 are scheduled to be held in the subcontinent.