Washington Sundar emphasises on Powerplay bowling and opens up on 2020 World Twenty20 spot ahead of WI series

Bowling in the powerplay overs is never easy. It is a different ball-game altogether as the bowler needs to find the right length, adjust to the pace of the surface from the word go and bowl to the field with limited restrictions at the deep. MS Dhoni had surprised many and started the trend of resorting to spinners, mainly Ravichandran Ashwin when the shortest format was still new in the modern era.

Since then, many international skippers have done the same and brought on their spinners in order to take a risk and hope to be rewarded. Washington Sundar, who made his debut in late 2017, was given the responsibility of bowling in the powerplays during the Nidahas Trophy 2018. Since then, he has mostly remained economical and triggered a few setbacks at regular intervals as well.

Nonetheless, the 20-year-old Sundar accepts that Powerplay bowling is a tough nut to crack. He further also revealed whether he has an eye already on a spot for the next year’s World Twenty20 (WT20I) or not with ESPNCricinfo.

“It’s a difficult job to do in T20s. To hit the right length is very difficult and of course errors will happen. It’s a tough job, but that’s something that excites me as well. It’s challenging to bowl to both right-handers and left-handers in the Powerplay and I have enjoyed it ever since I was given that role in T20s about two-three years back,” revealed Sundar on the essence of Powerplay bowling.

With the World Twenty20 still far away, the Indian head coach Ravi Shastri recently stated that they will have a clearer picture post the IPL 2020. When asked if he is already keen on cementing a spot for the marquee event, Sundar stated, “I just want to stay in the present and not think too far ahead. Definitely, playing for India in a World Cup is a dream, but for now, I just want to work on my game and stay in the present.”

Given that Sundar has played only a handful of games so far, he has been seen upon as someone who is a calm and composed character and believes in staying in the game at all times. His batting efforts, he played as a top-order batsman in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2019, will also come in handy when Virat Kohli & Co. finalise the team for the next ICC event in white-ball cricket.

Sundar will be next seen in action in the forthcoming Windies T20Is, starting from December 6