Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) have replaced their spin spearhead Ravichandran Ashwin with Tamil Nadu’s highly-rated all-rounder Washington Sundar.
The India off-spinner was ruled out of the entire season owing to a sports hernia. The Pune-based franchise had called up Sundar along with experienced spinner Parvez Rasool for a trial on April 2. And confirming his selection for the IPL, the 17-year old revealed how he impressed against the likes of RPS skipper Steve Smith and their new foreign recruit Ben Stokes.
“I’m feeling really excited to see this new world [IPL]. Ashwin is a legend and getting a chance to be part of the team in place of him is a big thing for me. After getting this opportunity, I have gained more belief in my hard work,” Washington told The Times Of India on Wednesday (April 5).
“There wasn’t much pressure. I have been bowling really well and I knew I would be able to do well in the trial. I was up against Stokes and Smith. I got Smith bowled. Though it was in a practice session, I felt good to have dismissed a legend like him. I also managed to keep things tidy against Stokes who was looking to be at his aggressive best. Those things gave me confidence,” added the player who had earlier attended a trial with Mumbai Indians.
Washington, who has seven wickets in nine List A matches at an economy of 3.93 runs per over, further revealed the praise he had received from RPS star MS Dhoni.
“I bowled to Dhoni for a long time yesterday in the nets. He gave me advice and appreciated me a few times,” he said.
Washington also thanked Tamil Nadu’s coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar, who is also an assistant coach with Pune, for the support.
“Big thanks to him. He trusted my abilities as an all-rounder,” he said.
Meanwhile, RPS will be looking to do well this season after a dismal inaugural season when they finished seventh in the eight-team tournament. They have already made their intentions clear that they are desperate to do well in the tenth edition. After buying Ben Stokes for a record fee in the players’ auction, they replaced Dhoni with Smith as their captain and will now be desperately hoping for a change in fortune. They have also replaced their injured all-rounder Mitchell Marsh with world number one ODI and T20I bowler Imran Tahir, who will have to shoulder the responsibility of leading the spin department in the absence of Ashwin.
Pune will begin their IPL campaign against Mumbai Indians on April 6.