Washington Sundar’s journey through the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been anything but straightforward. Known for his economical powerplay spells and cool temperament, Sundar’s career has seen flashes of brilliance—though consistency and opportunity have often evaded him. As the landscape of T20 cricket evolves, especially with the introduction of the Impact Player rule, Sundar has become emblematic of a fading breed: the utility cricketer who isn’t a specialist in one discipline but adds balance to a side.
Early Promise and Sudden Rise
Sundar first made waves in IPL 2017, impressing with his precision during the powerplay overs for Rising Pune Supergiant. His ability to strangle batsmen early made him a valuable asset, especially in a format where early momentum is critical. However, subsequent IPL seasons didn’t offer him the same role. Team strategies changed, and Sundar was pushed to adapt without consistent backing.
His big break on the international stage came in the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where he debuted as India’s lone spinner. On the fast, bouncy pitches of Australia, it was his batting—not bowling—that shone brightest. A vital knock at the Gabba helped India script a historic Test series win, showcasing a side of Sundar that few expected.
Despite such performances, he seemed to oscillate between promise and obscurity. As India transitioned to life after spin stalwarts like Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, Sundar found himself in the mix but never quite first-choice.
The Impact Player Rule: A Double-Edged Sword
The introduction of the Impact Player rule in the IPL has redefined team strategies, particularly how they view and utilize all-rounders. The rule allows teams to make a tactical substitution during the match, often encouraging them to favor specialist bowlers or batters over the all-rounder who might do a bit of both but doesn’t excel spectacularly at either.
Sundar has become one of the unintended casualties of this trend. No longer a guaranteed pick, he played just two matches in the previous IPL season. Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) let him go, and while Gujarat Titans (GT) picked him up, their strong bowling core didn’t present an obvious place for him.
Even in a recent game against Mumbai Indians, Sundar was padded up as a potential Impact Player but was eventually overlooked in favor of a specialist bowler, Ishant Sharma. In this new format, utility cricketers like Sundar face the irony of being too flexible for their own good.
A Twist of Fate Against Former Franchise
Ironically, it was against his former team, Sunrisers Hyderabad, that Sundar finally found a spot in GT’s starting XI. SRH’s slow and low pitch offered favorable conditions for spin, prompting GT to include an extra spinner. Sundar, with his tight lines and match-up advantage against left-handers, earned a recall. Yet, despite the spinner-friendly conditions, GT’s pacers found more success, and Sundar didn’t bowl a single over.
But the game wasn’t over for him.
GT’s top-order stumbled during the chase. Two early wickets fell, and in a surprising move, the management sent Sundar in at No. 4—a decision likely based on maintaining a right-left batting combination and the underwhelming form of Shahrukh Khan. This unexpected chance with the bat turned into a showcase of what Sundar can truly bring to a team.
Match-Winning Knock Amidst Pressure
Sundar’s response was emphatic. Three deliveries into his innings, he started manipulating the field with confidence, balancing conventional shots with aggressive innovation. His assault on Simarjeet Singh, scoring 20 runs in the sixth over, turned the momentum in GT’s favor.
In a match where run-making was difficult, Sundar stood out. He crafted a 49-run innings in a 90-run partnership with Shubman Gill, anchoring the chase and easing pressure off the more recognized batter. According to ESPNcricinfo’s Smart Stats, it was the most valuable innings of the match, despite Mohammed Siraj earning the official Player of the Match for his 4-wicket haul.
This performance reminded the cricketing world of Sundar’s value—not just as a bowler who can tie down the powerplay, but as a batter capable of handling crunch situations.
What Lies Ahead for Washington Sundar?
With GT’s next match scheduled at home against Rajasthan Royals, pitch conditions could once again determine Sundar’s fate. If a similar black-soil surface is used—slow, low, and aiding spin—Sundar might retain his spot in the XI. However, if the pitch favors pace, the team may revert to a fast-bowling heavy approach, potentially sidelining him again.
The larger question remains: Can Washington Sundar force his way into becoming a regular starter in this Impact Player era?
He has clearly shown he has the skill, temperament, and game awareness to thrive in high-pressure T20 environments. But in a tournament increasingly skewed toward specialists and explosive performers, players like Sundar must keep grabbing every limited opportunity they get—and make them count.
Conclusion: The Nearly Man No More?
The term “nearly man” has followed Sundar like a shadow throughout his IPL career. Too skilled to ignore, yet often left out due to tactical preferences, he’s walked a tightrope for years. But as he demonstrated against SRH, all it takes is one chance to turn perceptions around.
In a format driven by roles and numbers, Washington Sundar made his presence felt not just on the scoreboard, but in the minds of selectors, coaches, and fans. And if the right conditions prevail again, the “nearly man” might just become the main man.
