Sundar Breaks Silence on 68-Over Bowling Snub
Washington Sundar has finally broken his silence—albeit with humor—on the much-debated moment when India captain Shubman Gill ignored his bowling for 68 overs in the first innings of the Manchester Test. While the match ended in a hard-fought draw with centuries from Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, and Gill himself, fans and experts questioned the captain’s tactical call to delay using Sundar, especially on a pitch that began offering turn early.
When Sundar was finally brought into the attack just before lunch on Day 3, he made an immediate impact by dismissing Ollie Pope and Harry Brook in quick succession. The delay in using his off-spin raised eyebrows, particularly as Sundar had taken five wickets in the previous Test at Lord’s. However, speaking during a light-hearted chat with broadcasters Nasser Hussain and Stuart Broad, Sundar refused to stir controversy.
‘I’m Not Giving Headlines’: Sundar Keeps It Light
During the post-match interaction, when asked if his captain had forgotten he could bowl, Sundar chuckled and said, “I’m not giving any headlines this time.” He added that he frequently crossed paths with Gill on the field and was always ready to bowl if the team needed him.
Stuart Broad humorously suggested Sundar should have exaggerated his warm-ups to catch Gill’s attention. Sundar replied, “Most of the times, I am around the square, so I’m sure I cross him every now and then.”
India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel also offered an explanation, saying Gill opted to stick with the seamers early due to helpful conditions. “The ball was seaming around. The call was to stick with pace, and when Washi got his chance, he did a great job,” Morkel explained.
Despite the initial snub, Sundar’s calm and professional response, both on the field and off it, highlighted his team-first mindset. As India prepares for the series decider at The Oval, Sundar’s all-round performance will be key in keeping India’s hopes of a 2-2 draw alive.
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