Having delivered yet another miserly spell in India's eight-wicket T20I series-levelling win on Thursday (November 7) against Bangladesh in Rajkot, off-spinner Washington Sundar explained how maintaining his cool and calm under pressure has really been the key to his success.
"Spinners definitely have a big role to play in the shortest format of cricket because they take the pace off the ball," Sundar said at the post-match press conference. "Sometimes pitches can give little assistance to the spinners as well."
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Sundar (1/25), along with his more experienced spin partner Yuzvendra Chahal (2/28), put the breaks on visiting batsmen as Bangladesh could reach only as far as a modest 153/6 in 20 overs despite a placid track. Later, captain Rohit Sharma blasted a 43-ball 85 to help India race towards the 154-run target.
"It’s all about knowing what to do, knowing where the batsmen is going to hit you and other small, small things," he added. "Obviously it is important to keep things simple and be calm and composed. You can get hit badly in a few games but that happens in this format of the game."
Sundar then acknowledged the wonderful effort of Chahal from the other end saying the veteran leg-spinner has been an "asset" for India.
"It is very important to be honest, especially for someone (like Chahal) who can bowl in the middle overs and change the dimension of the game," he said. "We have seen him (Chahal) doing that in ODIs and T20 as well. He comes in the middle overs, takes 2-3 wickets and changes the game completely."
"He (Chahal) is very experienced in this format and knows what to do to get wickets in the middle overs. We have seen him being very successful in the powerplays as well. He is definitely an asset for any team," added the 20-year-old with only 14 T20Is behind him.
"The way he (Chahal) changes his pace and he knows what the batsman will try and do and which batsman is going to hit where. Different batsmen will have different plans but he is very clever. He is very calm and composed under pressure."
Sundar also lavished praise on skipper Rohit for leading from the front and enabling India's dominating victory as well as comeback in the three-match series.
"I had the best seat in the house to watch him (Rohit) bat. If he plays like this then it is a treat for anyone in the stadium. Certain boundaries he hit were unbelievable," he concluded.
The third and final T20I will be played in Nagpur on November 10.
(Inputs from PTI)
