“We need it, but we won't use it”

Former India player Aakash Chopra has questioned the use of Washington Sundar in the first two ODIs against South Africa. He pointed out that the spin-bowling all-rounder is not used effectively with bat or ball.

Washington scored 13 runs off 19 deliveries while batting at No. 5 and bowled just three overs in the first ODI against South Africa in Ranchi on Sunday, November 30. He got a solitary run off eight deliveries at No. 6 and bowled just four overs in the second ODI in Raipur on Wednesday, December 3.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, 'Aakash Chopra', the first India opener pointed out that Washington is not being used properly even though the team management wants him in the XI.

“What are we doing with Sundar? They made him bat out of position at No. 5, and even that was not done in the second game. We asked him to bat down the order. After that, we don't want to bowl him more than three or four overs,” Chopra said. (9:40 a.m.)

“So what is this kind of handling? We need it, but we won't use it. I'm already a bit surprised, because even if you look at the T20I set-up, Nitish Kumar Reddy came out when Hardik Pandya came in and Rinku Singh had to come out for Washi to come in,” he added.

Washington Sundar has been picked in India's 15-member squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against South Africa. Rinku Singh he has potentially been left out to accommodate him in the squad.

“If you are sacrificing a lower-order batsman, you have to give him a chance somehow” – Aakash Chopra on Washington Sundar's batting position

In the same video, Akash Chopra pointed out that Washington Sundar needs to be given more chances with the bat if he is playing ahead of a lower-order batsman.

“If you're sacrificing a lower-order hitter, you've got to give him (Washington) a chance somehow, but we're not giving him a chance properly. He's being forced up the order,” he said.

The cricketer-turned-commentator added that the team management expects the Tamil Nadu all-rounder to bat at No.5 but cannot send him in that position.

“Even at No. 5, I think ODI cricket might not be so kind to him. The number you expect him to bat at, you can't decide to make him bat there, and you're not making him bat much. So I still wonder what Washington Sundar's role is,” observed Chopra.

Washington Sundar he has amassed 365 runs at an average of 20.27 in 19 ODI innings. He has picked up 29 wickets at an average of 27.93 in 25 ODI innings.