Rohit Sharma made a bold decision during the closing stages of the visitor’s run-chase during the second ODI of the 3 ODI series against West Indies in Ahmedabad, when he brought Washington Sundar into the attack. With the Windies requiring 49 runs to win from 36 deliveries, Rohit Sharma handed the ball to Washington Sundar immediately after Mohammed Siraj had conceded 11 runs in the 44th over.
Washington Sundar eventually conceded only two runs in the over while also taking the important wicket of Odean Smith. India won the game in the next over, bowling the visitors out on 193.
Rohit Sharma’s Brave Move To Bring Washington Sundar Praised By Dinesh Karthik
Following the 2nd ODI game, wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik lauded Rohit Sharma on the “brave move” to bowl Washington Sundar.
“I really liked Rohit Sharma’s move of bringing Sundar on when Odean Smith was going good. That was a brave move. It was a very interesting one to bring the off-spinner on with the right-handers in play. He (Rohit Sharma) is willing to throw a bit of a bait,” said Karthik.
“The beauty of Sundar is that he is able to absorb pressure. You know the batter is going to go after you. So you need some skill and talent. That is the captain and bowler camaraderie blossoming.”
Washington Sundar returned to the attack for the 45th over, when the West Indies needed 48 from 36 balls with two wickets in hand. Washington Sundar bowled a nerveless three-run over while also having Odean Smith caught at deep midwicket. He bowled into the pitch and hid the ball away from the swinging arc of Odean Smith.
Washington Sundar Comfortable Against Left-Handers But Predictable Against Right Handers: Shaun Pollock
However, former South African captain Shaun Pollock also found a fault in Washington Sundar’s bowling.
“The only concern for me having watched the bowling line-up was Washington Sundar. The guys behind the scene need to help him come up with a game plan. Once the left-handers are on strike, you can see how comfortable he is. (But) he was just too predictable against right-handers, darting it back of a length. They were able to get on to him,” observed Pollock.
“He needs to work on changing the angle every once in a while. If he goes on to surfaces that are flat going forward, he needs to have that confidence that he has a little bit more up his sleeve.”
The hosts defended 237 to wrap up the ODI series, with one game left. MOM Prasidh Krishna led the way for India, returning extraordinary figures of 4 for 12 in nine overs and reminding everyone why he was picked ahead of Deepak Chahar once again.
Prasidh Krishna and Suryakumar Yadav starred as India defeated West Indies in the second ODI to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Chasing a target of 238, West Indies was bowled out for 193 as India won the game by 44 runs.
Earlier, after being put on to bat, India recovered from a top-order failure to post a total of 237 for nine in 50 overs. Suryakumar Yadav top-scored with a brilliant 64 while vice-captain KL Rahul got run-out on 49. KL Rahul had returned to the team to replace Ishan Kishan, while Kieron Pollard had missed out for the Windies due to a niggle.
India 237 for 9 (Suryakumar 64, Rahul 49, Smith 2-29) beat West Indies 193 (Brooks 44, Hosein 34, Prasidh 4-12) by 44 runs