Nidahas Tri-series 2018: Washington Sundar enjoys bowling in powerplays

Sundar has often bowled in the powerplay and has scalped 7 wickets in 4 matches in the Nidahas Trophy thus far.

Washington Sundar is now the leading wicket-taker in the T20I tri-series | BCCI

Washington Sundar’s stellar show with the ball in the ongoing Twenty-20 tri-series has been the biggest positive for a new looking Indian side. The 18-year-old has often bowled in the powerplay and has scalped 7 wickets in 4 matches of this tournament thus far.

The best bit about Washington’s bowling performances is his economy rate. He has recorded the figures of 2/28, 0/23, 2/21 and 3/22 in the ongoing T20I tri-series.

Addressing the media after India’s 17-run victory against Bangladesh on Wednesday (March 14), Sundar said: “I have to admit I am fortunate to have this skill (bowling in powerplay). It is more of reading the batsmen’s mind in the powerplays.”

“Every six balls, they will be looking to hit you at least for a four and six. It is important to read the mind. I myself am a batsman to an extent; I can suspect what he is thinking and where he is going to hit me,” he added.

After being put into bat by Bangladesh skipper Mahmudullah, India rode on a strong batting performance to amass a total of 176 on the board. While Rohit scored a classy 61-ball 89, Shikhar Dhawan (35 runs off 27 balls) and Suresh Raina (47 runs off 30 balls) also played good hands.

In the second half, Sundar claimed the wickets of Tamim Iqbal (27), Liton Das (7) and Soumya Sarkar (1) to restrict Bangladesh to 159/6 in 20 overs. Besides Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal played a key role yet again as he picked up the vital wicket of Mahmudullah for 11. Chahal’s figures of 4-0-21-1 meant that the Indian spinners scalped 4 wickets in his 8 overs by giving away just 43 runs. No wonder, Sundar believes this was vital in the context of the match.

“It was important for me and Yuzvendra Chahal to bowl well. Our eight overs were very important. I thought I should keep things tight,” Sundar said.

The youngster also credited league cricket for giving him the confidence to execute his plans in the powerplay.

“I play a lot of league games back home. Couple of years back, we played a tournament. I used to bowl two in the powerplay and two in the death overs which was difficult. These things helped me to get better as a cricketer. You want to keep facing those challenges and overcome,” Sundar said.

Having already qualified for the final, India will now have a showdown against the winner of Sri Lanka versus Bangladesh game on Sunday (March 18). Sunday is confident that the Men in Blue will lift the Nidahas Trophy.

 “It is a very good feeling when you bowl under 6 every game. Both the teams are pretty If I can play to my potential or strength, then we can win the tournament,” Sundar concluded.

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 15 Mar, 2018

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