Overview:
Washington Sundar’s Test numbers are already impressive for someone still in his early twenties. He has two half-centuries in Australia, one century and one fifty in England, and a solid record at home.
Indian cricket has never had a shortage of prodigies, but only a handful transform promise into sustained impact across formats. In the recently concluded Anderson Tendulkar Trophy between India and England, one name that emerged not just as a contributor but as a cornerstone was Washington Sundar. His performances, both with the bat and ball, reignited conversations around his long-term role in Indian cricket. The big question now is simple: Is Washington Sundar the next big thing in Indian cricket across formats?
Walking into Big Shoes
It is not easy being a Tamil Nadu cricketer in the post-Ashwin era. Especially when you’re a spin bowling all-rounder walking into a Test side after the retirement of legends like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravichandran Ashwin. The leadership group had changed too, with Shubman Gill leading a young Indian side trying to find its rhythm. In this transition phase, Washington Sundar did not just fill a void. He created a space that looked tailor-made for him.
Coming into the series after the first Test, Sundar had an immediate impact. The pressure was massive. India had lost the opening match. The spin attack lacked bite. The middle order seemed fragile. But Sundar responded with maturity far beyond his age. In the fourth Test, with India trailing and staring down the barrel, Washington produced a match-saving century. Not only did it help India avoid defeat, but it also showcased a composure that is rare even among seasoned players. In the next game, he followed it up with a crisp fifty that proved decisive in levelling the series. This was not just a performance. It was a statement.
The Gabba Calling Card
To understand Sundar’s rise, it is worth revisiting his early days. He burst onto the scene during the 2017-18 domestic season, impressing with his control and temperament. But it was in 2021 that he truly made the cricketing world take notice, in that unforgettable series in Australia. Picked as a net bowler initially, injuries to senior players gave him a chance in the Brisbane Test. Sundar delivered with both bat and ball. His gritty fifty in India’s second innings helped secure a famous win at the Gabba, sealing a historic 2-1 series victory.
Even back then, whispers had started. Is this guy more than just a bits and pieces cricketer?
Test Numbers That Demand Respect
Washington Sundar’s Test numbers are already impressive for someone still in his early twenties. He has two half-centuries in Australia, one century and one fifty in England, and a solid record at home. On turning pitches in India, where even specialists struggle to find consistency, Sundar has scored 270 runs in just five matches and picked up 32 wickets in 13 matches overall. These are the numbers of a genuine all-rounder, not a part-time option.
The GG Factor
What stands out is his evolution. Initially used as a powerplay off-spinner in white-ball formats, Sundar was once viewed as a defensive option, someone who could tie up one end. But under the guidance of Gautam Gambhir, India’s new head coach, his role has dramatically expanded. Gambhir is known for backing players who show grit and intelligence. He sees Washington as a three-format cricketer. His statements in press conferences reflect this belief. Gambhir has often spoken about Sundar’s temperament, his adaptability, and the calmness with which he absorbs pressure. This is a cricketer who is trusted in high-stakes moments.
Praise from the Legends
Former coach Ravi Shastri has also sung praises. In a recent interview, Shastri said, “This lad is special.” Coming from a man who nurtured India’s golden era from 2017 to 2021, such words carry weight.
A Complete Makeover
Washington’s transformation from a limited overs powerplay spinner to a full-fledged red ball weapon is no accident. He has worked relentlessly on his fitness, his wrist position, and his ability to extract bounce and dip. His batting, which was once considered a bonus, has now become a core part of his value. He can anchor an innings, rotate strike, and even clear the ropes when needed. This is not a filler player anymore. This is a multi-dimensional cricketer.
Across Formats and Beyond
One of the most telling signs of Washington’s development is his impact across formats. In T20Is, he is a bankable option in the powerplay. In ODIs, he provides balance with control and lower-order runs. And in Tests, he is slowly growing into a player who can deliver with bat and ball under pressure. That kind of versatility is rare. And priceless.
Let us not forget his age: He is only 25. With the right workload management, mentorship, and role clarity, he could be a mainstay in India’s setup for the next decade. He also brings in an aura of calm. There is no chest thumping. No theatrics. Just cricket, clean, effective, and mature.
A Potential All Format Great
But can he become an all format great?
That will depend on opportunity and role clarity. Indian cricket has often been guilty of underutilising or mismanaging talent. Sundar needs a long rope, particularly in Tests and ODIs. He must be allowed to bat higher when needed. He must be persisted with even when wickets do not come for a couple of games. Because what he brings to the table is not always captured in numbers. It is in his temperament, his balance, his ability to stabilise chaos.
The post-Rohit, post-Kohli era is going to be defined by players who can multitask without losing focus. Players like Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Ishan Kishan are likely to headline the batting order. But among the all-rounders, India needs someone dependable, someone who does not just fill the XI but adds value to both departments. Right now, Washington Sundar is leading that race.
More Than Just a Rising Star
In a sport driven by numbers and narratives, Sundar’s story has all the makings of a classic: humble beginnings, early promise, international breakthroughs, and now, the chance to be a pillar of a new Indian team.
He has already etched his name in one of the most iconic series in recent memory. Now it is about consistency, trust, and backing from the system.
If the signs are anything to go by, Washington Sundar is not just the next big thing. He might just be the thing Indian cricket builds its next dynasty around.