Washington Sundar

Washington Sundar is a tall (1.85m) off-spin bowling all-rounder for India who bats left-handed and bowls right-arm off break. Renowned for miserly power-play overs and calm lower-middle-order batting, he has represented India across formats since 2017 and, domestically, Tamil Nadu. In the IPL he has turned out for Rising Pune Supergiant (2017), Royal Challengers Bangalore (2018–21), Sunrisers Hyderabad (2022–24) and, most recently, Gujarat Titans (from 2025). He was part of India’s Champions Trophy-winning campaign in 2025.

Early life

Born on 5 October 1999 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Washington grew up in a cricket-mad household. His father, M. Sundar, played competitive cricket and named him after P. D. Washington, a family benefactor who supported his cricket dream. He studied at St. Bede’s Anglo-Indian Higher Secondary School in Chennai, a cradle for several India cricketers. His sister, Shailaja (M. S. Shailaja), also plays domestic cricket.

From a young age, Washington was known for his calm temperament and mature game sense. Coaches recall his ability to adapt, whether as a stroke-making opener in junior cricket or later as a specialist spinner who could hold his nerve under pressure. These traits have carried into his international career, where he rarely looks fazed even in high-stakes contests.

Personal life

Washington keeps his private life low-key and is widely described by coaches as disciplined and studious about his craft. Family—especially his father’s mentorship—features prominently in interviews and profiles, with Washington often crediting home support for his temperament and rapid rise.

Off the field, he is passionate about fitness and is often seen engaging in strength routines that balance his bowling workload with batting readiness. He is also fond of music and travelling, using downtime between tours to explore new cultures and cuisines, though cricket remains his biggest focus.

Domestic Career

  • Early switch & TN debut: A prolific top-order batter in age-group cricket, Washington transitioned into an off-spinning all-rounder as he broke into Tamil Nadu senior teams, making his first-class debut in 2016.
  • U-19 India: He was picked for India’s U-19 setup in 2015–16, underscoring his early promise.
  • County cricket (Lancashire, 2022): On his red-ball county debut for Lancashire he claimed a five-for against Northamptonshire and later hit a cool 34* to finish the chase—an eye-catching all-round start.

His domestic career has been marked by adaptability. In Ranji Trophy cricket, he has often played as a batting all-rounder, showcasing patience and defensive technique. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, however, he has been more aggressive with the bat and economical with the ball, embodying the role of a modern-day T20 specialist.

Test career

Washington’s Test story began at Brisbane (Jan 2021), where injuries to seniors thrust him into the XI. He took Steven Smith as his first Test wicket and struck a priceless 62 in a match-turning partnership with Shardul Thakur as India sealed the series 2–1.

He climbed another rung in October 2024, taking 7/59 in an innings and a maiden 10-wicket match haul against New Zealand at home—career-best figures that underlined his red-ball evolution.

In July 2025, he scored his maiden Test hundred at Old Trafford to help India save the Test, showing range and resilience with the bat during a demanding England tour.

Test summary (cumulative):

Mat Runs Bat Avg 100s/50s HS Balls Wkts BBI Bowl Avg 5w/10w Catches
13 752 44.23 1/5 101* 1,618 32 7/59 28.46 1/1 4

ODI career

Washington debuted in ODIs on 13 December 2017 vs Sri Lanka (his first international wicket was Lahiru Thirimanne). Used most often as a matchup spinner and depth batter, he has operated with control (best 3/30) and flexible batting roles through 2024–25, including selection in India’s Champions Trophy 2025–winning squad.

ODI summary (cumulative):

Mat Runs Bat Avg 50s HS Balls Wkts BBI Bowl Avg 4/5w Catches
23 329 23.50 1 51 828 24 3/30 27.87 0/0 6

T20I career

Washington’s T20I debut came on 24 December 2017, and at 18 years 80 days he became the youngest Indian to debut in T20Is. He was Player of the Series at the 2018 Nidahas Trophy, mastering power-play overs with exceptional economy. In July 2024, he was Player of the Series again in India’s 4–1 T20I win in Zimbabwe, headlining with 3/15 in the third T20I.

T20I summary (cumulative):

Mat Runs Bat Avg 50s HS Balls Wkts BBI Bowl Avg Econ Catches
54 193 13.78 1 50 975 48 3/15 23.50 — 19

IPL career

  • Teams: Rising Pune Supergiant (2017), Royal Challengers Bangalore (2018–21), Sunrisers Hyderabad (2022–24), Gujarat Titans (from 2025; auction price ₹3.2 crore).
  • Breakout: Player of the Match in IPL 2017 Qualifier 1 (3/16 vs MI), notable for taking wickets of top hitters in the power-play.
  • Injuries: Missed the second half of IPL 2021 (finger) and IPL 2023 (hamstring).
  • Role evolution: Often deployed as a power-play specialist; in the Impact-Player era his usage fluctuated despite all-round utility.

IPL career summary:

Matches Runs Bat Avg HS Wickets Bowl Avg Econ Best
66 511 15.03 40 39 36.82 7.70 3/16

Records and Achievements

  • Youngest Indian T20I debutant (18y 80d).
  • Player of the Series – Nidahas Trophy 2018 (8 wickets; power-play economy ~5.7).
  • Asian Games gold (Hangzhou 2023) with India men’s team.
  • Champions Trophy 2025 winner with India (member of the 15).
  • Best Test bowling: 7/59 and maiden 10-for in a match vs New Zealand (Oct 2024).
  • Maiden Test hundred at Old Trafford, Manchester (July 2025).
  • County debut five-for for Lancashire (July 2022).

ODI, T20I and Test stats at a glance

Format Mat Runs Bat Avg 100s/50s HS Wkts BBI Bowl Avg
Tests 13 752 44.23 1/5 101* 32 7/59 28.46
ODIs 23 329 23.50 0/1 51 24 3/30 27.87
T20Is 54 193 13.78 0/1 50 48 3/15 23.50

Notes on role and trajectory

After debuting as a substitute spinner in Tests, Washington steadily became a genuine three-format option. His strengths—tight power-play control, wicket-to-wicket accuracy and clean hitting—have made him a flexible pick across conditions. Injuries interrupted 2021–23, but he rebounded with a strong Zimbabwe T20I series (Player of the Series, July 2024) and a landmark England 2025 tour featuring his first Test ton.

Washington is widely regarded as one of India’s most promising spin-bowling all-rounders of the next generation. With his ability to deliver in clutch situations, both with ball in hand and as a lower-order contributor, he provides India with balance across formats. His tall frame and repeatable action give him consistency as a bowler, while his clean, wristy batting technique allows him to adapt to situations. If he continues his development without major injury setbacks, Washington could become a permanent fixture in India’s squads for years to come.