Follow UsWashington Sundar at No.3?
On paper, it does sound a bit too much, but numbers back that ideology, as the Tamil Nadu all-rounder has batted at that position before. The all-rounder has played four matches at No.3 in first-class cricket, scoring 171 runs, averaging 57.
Not only that, his second-highest red-ball score, 152, also came in at No.3 against Delhi, a year back in Ranji Trophy. Former Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin backs the ideology to bat Washington at No.3 for the fourth Test in Manchester.
"A lot of people have said that Kuldeep has to play. If you have a lot of faith in Washington Sundar's batting, then send him to number 3 and let Kuldeep play. You have an option. Do you want to bring in Sai Sudarshan or Washington Sundar instead of Karun Nair? I will think like this,” Ashwin suggested this move on his YouTube channel.
With Nitish Kumar Reddy too ruled out of the series, Ashwin also posed the question: how will they replace the Andhra all-rounder? The former off-spinner added that India can bring in someone like Dhruv Jurel or Sai Sudharsan to strengthen their lower-order batting.
“Nitish Kumar is not ready. If Nitish is not ready, can I bring in Shardul Thakur? Or do I want to play a specialist batter? So, I would go the other way of saying we will play Washi. Jadeja will also be there. And instead of Shardul Thakur, play Sai Sudharsan or Dhruv Jurel. Play a specialist batter. Go to a bowler and back your spinner," Ashwin added.
The fourth Test between India and England starts on July 23 (Thursday) at Old Trafford in Manchester.