Simon Doull backs Sundar over Ashwin in Australia Tests: Don't play four seamers

IND vs NZ: Simon Doull said that Washington Sundar should be a part of the Indian playing XI for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. Sundar is the top wicket-taker in the New Zealand Test series.

In Short

• Washington Sundar is the leading wicket-taker in the New Zealand Tests
• Sundar has taken 15 wickets from three innings
• India’s tour of Australia starts with the Perth Test in November

Simon Doull named Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar as the spin-bowling options for India on the tour of Australia later this year. Doull reckoned that Sundar would be a better option that R Ashwin in the five-match Test series at the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on Australian soil.

IND vs NZ, 3rd Test, Day 1 Updates

Sundar has been in stupendous form in India’s ongoing three-match Test series against New Zealand. Despite missing the opening Test at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, Sundar has raced to becoming the top wicket-taker in the series.

“The skill that Washington Sundar has shown, he has the ball that skids on, and he has the ball that turns, gets nice and high. I think he is really becoming a push to play in the Australia Test matches,” Doull told the broadcasters after the day’s play.

‘Play your best five bowlers’

In three innings, Sundar has taken 15 wickets at an economy rate of 3.22. Sundar rattled the Black Caps’ batting line-up with a seven-wicket haul in the first innings of the Pune Test, after which he took four wickets.

Sundar carried on from where he left in Pune, picking up four wickets in the first innings of the Mumbai Test. Doull said that India should look at Nathan Lyon’s success in Australia and give Sundar a chance. The former fast bowler said that India should not get carried away and play four fast bowlers.

“And I think from an Indian point of view when you look forward, play your best five bowlers. And the best five bowlers I have seen here is the three seamers, Jadeja and Washington Sundar. Don’t play four seamers for the sake of it just because you are going to Australia,” Doull said.

“He is really bowling his way to being one of those better bowlers. Nathan Lyon proves it that off-spinners can work down under,” Doull added.

India’s tour of Australia starts with the Perth Test on November 22.