Washington Sundar questions Rishabh Pant & Co. for failure on ‘very good Guwahati pitch’ against South Africa

Indian national cricket team’s young all-rounder Washington Sundar has shared his views on the proposed pitch at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati for the second Test match against South Africa.

Washington Sundar said the surface was not a ‘snake pit’ and it was a good pitch to bat on, taking an indirect dig at the Indian batters, who failed miserably in the first innings.

Clearly the execution did not go the way we wanted – Washington Sundar

Team India faced a humiliating defeat to South Africa in the first match of the Test series at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, and is now on the verge of facing a whitewash.

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In the Guwahati Test, India were made 201 in 83.5 overs in their first innings in response to South Africa’s 489, with Kuldeep Yadav being the only player to bowl more than 100 balls in the innings.

India were mainly troubled by lanky runner Marco Jansen, who took a sensational 6-wicket haul and ran through the hosts’ batting unit. Simon Harmer bagged three wickets and Keshav Maharaj got one.

“Another day the bowlers would have gone to the stands and we would have all been enjoying and cheering. That’s how it is. Sometimes you just have to support their plans and their skills,” Washington said after the end of the third day’s match.

“Given that they have also shown a lot of evidence and evidence in the past. I think it’s just them supporting their skills. Obviously the execution did not go the way we wanted,” he added.

It wasn’t uneven at all – Washington Sundar

Washington Sundar further denied speculation that the pitch was difficult to hit, saying there was no uneven bounce on the surface. He said:

“It wasn’t a snake pit or whatever you can call it. It was a very good wicket. It was a real wicket. There aren’t many days when you get to bowl on such tracks, especially in India. Honestly, it’s a real wicket. If you spend time there, the runs are within your reach.”

“It wasn’t patchy at all. He’s obviously the tallest in the world and he bounces a bit on a good length. We’ve bowled a lot against bowlers like that. On another day we would have hit the same deliveries a lot better and it would have seemed like a very different scenario.”

I would say I’m happiest hitting where the team wants me to hit – Washington Sundar

Washington Sundar was promoted to bat at No. 3 in the Eden Gardens Test and was demoted to No. 8 in the Guwahati Test. Speaking of being constantly moved up and down the order, Washington Sundar offered a morally correct response, saying:

“I would say I’m happiest hitting where the team wants me to hit. That way it’s a lot more exciting. It’s a team game.

“Not at all (when asked if it’s troubling). Honestly, I really want to be the cricketer who steps up whenever the team asks and wherever the team wants me to bat and play. I have to be ready and get things done for the team. That’s the kind of mindset I’m in.

“No matter what situation I’m in, it’s very exciting for me. I also get the opportunity to play different roles. I don’t think many get that opportunity. So, it’s just exciting,” his response reflected the days of clinging to whatever role the team offered.

Also Read: Michael Vaughan hits back at Wasim Jaffer after Marco Jansen destroys India in Guwahati