Washington Sundar's batting ability has not been used enough: WV Raman

Both Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) are off to the worst possible start in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022. While CSK have lost three in a row, SRH, on the other hand have lost both their opening games. At the end of the 40 overs, one team would breathe a sigh of relief after getting off the mark in the tournament, while the agony continues for the losing team. Which team will that be?

One of the many areas of concern for SRH has been the fact that they have opened the innings with Abhishek Sharma. In an exclusive chat with Cricket.com, former India batter WV Raman reckons Washington Sundar would make a better opener and is disappointed with the fact that his batting abilities are not being put into full use.

“I personally feel that Washington Sundar can be a far better opener than Abhishek Sharma. I have seen both of these lads from the start of their careers,” Raman said.

“Washington Sundar's batting ability has not been used enough. Yes, they do rate him everywhere he plays as a useful batter, but they do not promote him and give him more responsibility as far as batting is concerned.”

“There has been a change in the management of the Sunrisers team, which means that the roles that have to be allocated change as well, with Tom Moody handling the show now and will come in with a different set of plans to maybe what Katich would have had.”

Sticking with Sundar, Raman also believes he is an ideal candidate to open the bowling as well, along with Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

“Sundar has always been fantastic at the top during the powerplay, and that should work out really well with Bhuvi,” Raman opines. 

“Bhuvi getting his rhythm back, making the ball swing and seam both ways, which means that batters will have to adapt to different techniques. A fast bowler and a spinner from different ends will pose a difficult challenge. “ 

With CSK struggling especially in the powerplay, Raman reckons Moeen Ali is one batter around whom the entire team can bat.

“Robin Uthappa has always been good at the top of the order, but if you look back at what CSK did in all these years, it is that they had an experienced campaigner who is a bit of a chameleon, using it in the possible way as they had Hussey and Faf du Plessis, who are very experienced and see what their partner is doing,” Raman explained.

“So if their partner has a good game, they will be steady, or if their partner is struggling, they will put their foot on the pedal. 

“They have not found that player yet this season, but I feel Moeen Ali can be that player around whom all the players can bat. 

“Ruturaj has not got going this season, and they will look forward to that because he promised a lot because of his performance last season.

“If they find some catalyst at the top of the order, around whom others can play because CSK has a lot of multi-dimensional cricketers in their ranks.”

MS Dhoni handed the captaincy to Ravindra Jadeja just days before the start of the season and safe to say, it has been a rough start for the new skipper. The only way Jadeja can blossom and improve as captain is by giving him complete freedom to take his decisions, according to Raman.

“Jadeja is somebody who has got to contribute to the side in every respect, and additional responsibility, especially to fill in the shoes of MS Dhoni, is going to be difficult, but he needs to be given a clear mandate and the freedom to make his moves,” Raman, who has played 11 Tests and 27 ODIs for India said.

“CSK has been a side that is known for its clarity, and Mahi was one guy who was always clear about the plans and the players he wanted in the auctions. There was always a sense of clarity that was the hallmark of the CSK unit, and I feel that is lacking here a bit. 

“You do have Dhoni guiding Jadeja on the field, and it is not bad, but Jadeja should not think of Dhoni doing the bulk of the work as far as captaincy is concerned. 

“He has got to tell himself that we had a great captain, and he will always be available but let me make the moves. I might get it wrong, but the more moves I make, the better I will get.”