Belief is the key to success for Washington Sundar

Washington Sundar, who was deservingly called up to the Indian U-19 squad going to Bangladesh for the U-19 World Cup starting January 27 next year hailed his mentor for helping him believe in himself, reports The Hindu.

This promising youngster, who dazzled in the two tri-nation tournaments that India U-19 played – at Kolkata and Colombo, was first spotted by a man who captained India in the first-ever U-19 World Cup in Australia in 1988, M. Senthilnathan when he turned out for Globetrotters at the age of 13,

Sundar heaped praise on his mentor, he said: “There have been times when I have not made runs or taken wickets. I would be in tears, but a chat with Senthil Sir and I would be smiling again.”

Speaking about Sundar, Senthilnathan said: “He was so young, but even then he had so much time to play. There were many who questioned my wisdom when I fielded him straightway in the eleven for the club in the TNCA first division league. He has not disappointed me.”

The left-handed top order batsman and an offspinner stands at 6’1” and presents a graceful picture at the crease with his range of shots and high backlift. He describes the shot that is hit straight down the ground to be his favourite, despite having cover-drives, cuts, pulls and flicks all in his arsenal.

“The half-century against Bangladesh in Kolkata was a crucial innings on a trying pitch. I had come in at No. 6 and the side was in trouble having lost four wickets for just over a hundred,” said Washington.

In the testing conditions of Colombo, where the ball was moving around a bit, Washington was focussed despite the conditions being new for him. His knock of 77 as an opener against Sri Lanka was a match-winning one, and so was his 56 in the final of the recently concluded tournament, where he was the highest run-getter.

His mentor compared him with former India batsman W.V. Raman and said that Sundar had the ability to hit sixes from inside the crease.

“After W.V. Raman, I have not seen many players hitting sixes from within the crease. Raman used to call it an extension of his defence. Washington can do that, stroke the ball over long-off, long-on or down the ground,” he said.

Apart from his batting prowess, Sundar is also a useful off-spinner, who with his height delivers the ball from the top and gets plenty of bounce from the pitch.

Rahul Dravid, the India U-19 coach, has also had a huge impact on the TN prodigy. “There is no boring moment when he talks to us. There is so much insight and positivity in what he says,” he said.

Talking about the chances at the World Cup, the cricketer said: “We have been unbeaten since the last two tournaments. We are very confident.”