Washington Sundar played a big role in India’s successful run chase against Australia in the 3rd T20I at Hobart on Sunday with the all-rounder slamming an unbeaten 49 off 23 deliveries to help the Men in Blue win by 5 wickets and level the series 1-1.
Former India player Varun Aaron and former Australia cricketer Aaron Finch lauded Sundar’s efforts, highlighting his effectiveness with the bat.
“Washington has demonstrated his effectiveness with the bat, especially against short-pitched deliveries, as we saw in the previous IPL. His first five boundaries off the fast bowlers were all through short balls, showing how well he thrives on them. Australia likely underestimated his capability to play the short ball, and his early six off Nathan Ellis set the tone perfectly. Though he didn’t bowl in this match, his contribution with the bat was crucial, and he could well be the player of the match for this T20 international,” Aaron said on JioHotstar’s Cricket Live.
“Washington was outstanding and delivered exactly what India needed at that moment. His arrival at the crease took the pressure off the set batsman Tilak Varma, which is vital in T20 cricket. He played confidently on both sides of the wicket and responded well to short-pitched deliveries. It was an excellent innings from a top performer,” Finch said.
On the back of Sundar’s innings, India comfortably chased down a target of 187 set by Australia. This was the first time that Australia have lost a T20 International at the Ninja Oval, earlier known as Bellerive Oval.
Tim David (74 off 38) bludgeoned the Indian bowling attack to take Australia to 186 for six after the visitors opted to bat. With the firepower India possess, they were expected to overhaul the target but Nathan Ellis (3/36) made their job tougher with his sharp and testing spells. India eventually got home in 18.3 overs.
Abhishek Sharma (25 off 16) once again produced a flurry of boundaries in the powerplay before skipper Suryakumar Yadav (24 off 11), Tilak Varma (29 off 26), Axar Patel (17 off 12) and Washington (49 not out off 23) did their bit.
Story continues below this ad
Jitesh Sharma (22 not out off 12), playing his first game of the series, got valuable time in the middle and got the job done alongside Sundar.
