Birmingham, July 15: Indian all-rounder Washington Sundar showcased his batting prowess in the first ODI against England, scoring a solid 52 runs off 63 balls. He attributed his enhanced batting skills to head coach Gautam Gambhir and Gujarat Titans’ head coach Ashish Nehra.
After playing a crucial unbeaten half-century in India’s six-wicket victory at Edgbaston, Sundar acknowledged the significant role both coaches played in his development across different formats. He formed an impressive 102-run partnership with Axar Patel, helping India take a 1-0 lead in the series.
Discussing his growth as a batsman, Sundar emphasized the importance of preparation and the trust shown by those around him. “I strive to prepare thoroughly. I ensure that I do everything completely. I value preparation highly and am grateful that people have always believed in my abilities,” he stated during the press conference.
He further mentioned, “Gautam Gambhir has always explained to me what I can truly do with the bat and helped me understand my game. Likewise, Ashish Nehra has ensured that I understand myself better, both as a person and as a cricketer. I am genuinely thankful for having such people around me who help me become a better cricketer every day.”
Sundar noted that it is crucial for him, especially as an all-rounder, to consistently improve, understand his game, and adapt to different conditions. He believes that playing more matches helps him face various situations, understand his capabilities, and learn significantly. “I am very grateful to have people who have always trusted my skills and helped me understand what I can achieve with different skills,” he added.
Over the past few years, Sundar has taken on various batting responsibilities, including opening in first-class cricket, batting in the middle order, and finishing matches in white-ball formats. He stated that embracing these changing roles has contributed to his growth as a more complete cricketer.
“I have realized that I need to keep improving my skills, which will help me when needed. Playing different roles is exciting, and few get the chance to do so. I strive to win for the team,” he explained.
Sundar concluded by saying, “Experiencing different situations in the game is thrilling. However, as I mentioned, it is essential for me to keep improving every day. We play various formats in a short time, so there is hardly any room for change between formats. Overall, I will prepare as well as I can so that I am ready when the opportunity arises. That is my mindset.”
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