Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has offered high praise for Washington Sundar following the all-rounder’s dominant display in India’s victory over Afghanistan on June 8, 2026. Speaking on the Star Sports show ‘Follow the Blues’ on June 9, Gavaskar described the 26-year-old Tamil Nadu player as a quintessential team man.
The endorsement follows a one-off Test at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium where India secured an innings-and-300-run win, their largest ever in the format.
Washington Sundar anchored the lower order in the first innings with an unbeaten 52 off 68 balls, hitting five fours and a six. While he claimed a single wicket in Afghanistan’s first turn at the crease, he became the “wrecker-in-chief” during their second innings.
The off-spinner finished with figures of 4/36 in 11 overs, dismissing Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Sediqullah Atal, and Azmatullah Omarzai to wrap up the match.
Sunil Gavaskar focused on the flexibility the Gujarat Titans (GT) star provides to the national side. “I think you want somebody like a Washington Sundar in your team because he can bat at any order,” Gavaskar noted during the broadcast.
He added that the all-rounder’s ability to bowl a tight line with the new ball makes him a player “every captain would love to have” in their squad.
Washington Sundar proves versatility in New Chandigarh Test
The pitch in New Chandigarh presented challenges for batters, but Gavaskar noted that Washington Sundar’s technical proficiency was already well-documented. He recalled the player’s history of “rear-guard actions,” including his performance against England in 2021 where he scored two 90s. This reliability is vital for squad depth, much like how United prioritize eighty million pound midfield signing targets to add balance to a top-tier roster.
Gavaskar specifically mentioned that Sundar scored his first Test century last year in a gritty partnership with Ravindra Jadeja to save a game for India. This reputation for handling pressure was evident again during the Afghanistan Test. On a surface that Gavaskar observed was “not really very easy to bat on,” Sundar’s half-century proved essential in propelling India to a declared total of 564/8.
The legendary cricketer also praised the impact of debutant Manav Suthar, who took seven wickets in the match. The emergence of such talent is a common theme in the latest sport news updates regarding India’s evolving rotation. Combined with Washington Sundar’s all-round skills, the Indian management now possesses several options to maintain dominance in the longest format of the game.
Rhythm and volume key to Sundar’s success
Reflecting on his return to the Test arena, Washington Sundar expressed satisfaction with his preparation and current form. “I felt really good, especially to play this format after a while,” he said after the match. “I just wanted to get a lot of volume coming into the game and obviously I felt like I was getting the rhythm right from the scratch, from ball one.”
The all-rounder explained that his success with the ball in the second innings was a result of tactical discipline on a slower surface. He focused on maintaining tight lengths and staying as close to the stumps as possible. This approach prevented the Afghan batters from finding comfort on the back foot, allowing Sundar to maintain pressure throughout his 11-over spell.
This public backing from Sunil Gavaskar marks a definitive shift from October 2024, when the former captain had initially questioned Sundar’s selection against New Zealand as a “panic” move. After Sundar responded with a seven-wicket haul in that match, Gavaskar labeled it an “inspired selection.” Following this latest performance, the veteran commentator now views him as an indispensable asset for any Indian captain moving forward.
