On the eve of the third and final ODI against Bangladesh, India’s Washington Sundar said he is working "specifically" on how to hit the ball long and hard in the lower middle-order.
While Sundar is not a typical power-hitter, he is trying to fit into that role bearing in mind the team’s need ahead of the 50-over World Cup at home next year.
As of now, the southpaw has lived up to the expectations as he has played a few blinders, including a swashbuckling 16-ball 37* in the first ODI against New Zealand last month.
"That's the role I have been getting in the last few years or so. That's what that particular position demands, and I have working quite specifically that way.
"Whatever positions demand me to do, I have been practising that way. I have been working in those specific manners," Sundar told reporters on Friday (December 9).
"I am glad that all the hard work has been coming good in the last few months or so. Hopefully, I will continue to do really well in the coming months and years as well."
Washington Sundar, who is also known for his off-spin bowling, has claimed five wickets in the first two ODIs of the ongoing series against Bangladesh.
With less than 12 months to go for the World Cup, the all-rounder is striving to become India’s go-to player for all situations.
"It was a great opportunity for me in last game. With the World Cup next year, I want to be the player who could play in any situation, in any sort of combinations, and wherever the team needs. To win games, wherever they ask me to play, I will play. That's the kind of player I want to be.
"I want to be able to contribute to my potential, contribute in a way that the team gets to win most of the games, and eventually, be very, very successful in the World Cup. I just want to be in the present and keep doing well, keep getting better in every aspect of the game."
The Men in Blue have conceded the three-ODI series to Bangladesh, having lost the first two matches from winning positions.
The Rohit Sharma-led side allowed the hosts to chase down 187 after reducing them to 136/9 in the series opener while they conceded 271 with the ball in the second ODI after having them at 69/6 at one stage.
"To be honest, we had our opportunities in both the games, First game, they needed about 50 runs to win with one wicket and we had a good opportunity. And even the last game, we had a good opportunity.
"In the first innings, they were 70 for six and with the way Shreyas and Akshar were batting, we were going to win quite convincingly and Rohit bhai, the kind of knock he played, it was unreal.
"It was just about winning those critical moments, probably doing one or two things better here and there. We will look to end the one-day series on a high."
The Indian team will look to avoid a clean sweep when they take the field for the final ODI of the three-match series in Chattogram on Saturday (December 10).
"Every game is an opportunity for us to keep getting better, to get the right rhythm, and obviously, perform really well as a team. There is not going to be many games in the next 10 months or so, so every game is very important for us, we want to play a very good brand of cricket no matter who we are playing.
"Our job is to play to our potential and keep getting better whenever we have to. That's the kind of mindset we are in and we will keep looking to improve,” Sundar said.
"Bangladesh is a high-quality side, especially at home, I think they have lost only one series at home, to England. They had a good run in the T20 World Cup."
(With PTI inputs)
