Manjrekar feels Sundar lacks the pedigree or performance to play as a specialist batter.
Manjrekar noted that while Sundar is a useful off-spinner, his batting has not yet proven to be at the level of a top-tier prospect, despite Gambhir using him in various batting positions.
Manjrekar argued that Sundar has a long way to go as a batter and that his reputation was mainly built on the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, rather than consistent performances.
“I think his whole trajectory of his career changed when he played for India as a Test player, and everyone saw the batting side of Washington Sundar in tough conditions in Australia. He would bat down the order and get you 60-70 runs," Manjrekar said on Sportstar’s Insight Edge podcast.
"And then we had a very excited Indian coach called Gautam Gambhir, who wanted him to be everywhere. So I look at Washington Sundar, and at the moment in white-ball cricket, I don’t see him. He’s not really there as a pure bowler, nor does he have the pedigree or the performances to play as a pure batter," he added.
According to Manjrekar, Washington Sundar lacks the pedigree or performance to play as a top-order batter.
He suggested that Sundar's primary value in T20s should be as a specialist who completes his full quota of four overs of off-spin, rather than being used as a versatile utility player everywhere in the lineup.
“His exceptional showing at the Test level has got people excited with what he can offer with bat and ball. He’s got seven wickets in a Test match, he can play as a pure spinner, plus bat down the order and bat like a proper batter, which got Gautam Gambhir sometimes to promote him to number three," Manjrekar stated.
“But I think that’s just getting a little too carried away. He has to be a bowling all-rounder in T20 cricket. I would like to extract that and make him that guy who will bowl the four overs, but four overs of off-spin, it’s a tough one to get away,” he remarked.