It was just a one-off game: Sundar on loss in first T20I

After an emphatic 3-0 win in the ODI series against New Zealand, the Men in Blue were outplayed by the visiting side in the first of the three-match T20I series in Ranchi on Friday, January 27. 

On a surface that offered a significant amount of turn, Washington Sundar produced an all-around performance for the home team with figures of 2 for 22 in four overs and smashed his maiden half-century to help India inch closer to the target. 

With the top order not contributing much in a 177-run chase, the southpaw stated that it was just a bad day for the team. "I think it was just a one-off game. I don't think that just because it was spinning so much, we have to address anything as it was a one-off game," he said in the post-match presentation. 

"If we got off to a flier or a better start, things would've been much different. Obviously, it did spin, and you will see such wickets here and there. Players in our team have played on such wickets in the IPL and even in the Indian team. So, just that one-off game where certain things didn't go our way," he further added.

To one of the questions regarding the batting order of the side, the 23-year-old had a rather surprising response and said, "All of them have got so many runs in T20s. If you don't get your favourite biryani in one restaurant, will you never go there again? All of them have done well to get to this stage, and they keep doing well,” he said.

One of the talking points from India's defeat was the dismal outing of Arshdeep Singh, as the left-arm seamer leaked 51 runs in four overs. Despite his struggle, Sundar defended the speedster and said, "

"Arshdeep has taken so many wickets for India and in the IPL. We are also human beings, and we also want to play the sport. When the competition is very high, and the opposition is of the highest quality, such things can happen."

The two sides will now lock horns in the second T20I on Sunday, January 29, at Lucknow.