"I have always been surprised that how can one guy have so much talent" - Sanjay Manjrekar lauds Washington Sundar's knock in BGT 2024-25 4th Test

Sanjay Manjrekar has said that Washington Sundar's talent surprises him after the spin-bowling all-rounder scored a crucial half-century in India's first innings of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 fourth Test. He pointed out that the off-spinner stood out with the ball in the recent home series against New Zealand.

Sundar scored 50 runs off 162 deliveries as India ended Day 3 (Saturday, December 28) of the Boxing Day Test against Australia in Melbourne at 358 for nine. The visitors still trail the Aussies by 116 runs, with Nitish Kumar Reddy (105* off 176) and Mohammed Siraj (2* off 7) unbeaten at the crease.

During a discussion on Star Sports, Manjrekar opened up about his thoughts on Sundar's knock.

"We have seen similar batting from him earlier in Australia. So there were expectations from him and that is why he is probably playing in this match as his batting would help India. He is slightly different from the other batters. He takes his stance within the crease," he replied.

"When he plays off the back foot, it seemed one or two times that he would get hit wicket. He plays so late. I have always been surprised that how can one guy have so much talent. He is an off-spinner. We saw him becoming a proper replacement for Ashwin in the home series and then batting like this. He plays T20 and 50-over cricket as well," Manjrekar added.

Sundar joined Reddy in the middle when India were reduced to 221/7 at the fall of Ravindra Jadeja's wicket. The duo added 127 runs for the eighth wicket while keeping the Australian bowlers at bay for 47 overs.

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"Two different games were required to be played" - Irfan Pathan on Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy's contrasting knocks

Washington Sundar struck only one four during his 50-run knock. [P/C: Getty]

In the same discussion, Irfan Pathan was asked about Washington Sundar hitting a solitary boundary during his innings.

"A different game was going on at the other end. Nitish Kumar Reddy was showing aggression. He was stepping out and playing big shots. When you see such a thing at the other end, it's even more difficult to control your instinct because you feel that two different games are being played. However, two different games were required to be played," he responded.

The former India all-rounder highlighted the left-handed batter's crucial role in Nitish Kumar Reddy's century.

"Washington Sundar drove the game. He kept defending. To hit just one boundary in 150 balls is a huge thing. It's a test of patience and he passed it. Nitish Kumar Reddy will definitely be praised. However, if Washington Sundar had not supported him, this century might not have come. It was praiseworthy," Pathan observed.

Sundar didn't hit a boundary off the first 102 balls he faced. His only four was a punch over cover off Mitchell Starc.