Former India cricketer Kris Srikkanth has raised concerns over Washington Sundar’s match fitness and selection for the upcoming three-match T20 series against Afghanistan. Srikkanth argued that the all-rounder should have participated in competitive cricket before being chosen for the national team.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Srikkanth said, “He is good in Tests but didn’t play in Sri Lanka. How is he fit now, in two weeks? He has not proved his match fitness, so what is the use? You must play some matches at some level to show your fitness before being picked for India. You can’t just play with a doctor’s certificate. Washington Sundar seems to be injured after every two or three series.”
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Srikkanth also highlighted Sundar’s recurring injuries and loss of form in white-ball cricket, despite his successful transition to Test cricket. “He was smashed in Ireland and England. He started his cricket from the T20 format. He moved brilliantly to Test cricket, but he has lost his rhythm in white-ball cricket,” he added.
Sundar, who sustained a hamstring injury during the third ODI against England in July, has been undergoing recovery at the Centre of Excellence (COE). His inclusion in the squad for the Afghanistan series is subject to fitness clearance. Pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah also returns to the team under the same condition.
The India squad for the series, which begins on September 13, includes Shreyas Iyer (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Tilak Varma (vice-captain), Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana. The three matches will be held at the Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium in New Delhi on September 13, 15 and 17.
Source: thenewsmill.com
