Cricket · Off-spin allrounder

Washington Sundar · role, recent form and the selection read

India off-spin allrounder, retained in the XI for the third Test. The profile covers role, recent form and the selection pressure that frames his place.

Current team: India Updated:
Off-spin bowler in delivery stride

Profile

Sundar has played the role of the third seamer and the second spinner in the recent Test XIs. The selection pressure comes from the wrist-spinner who was the preferred option through the home series last year, and from the allrounder who offers an additional seam-bowling option.

Recent form

The last six appearances are the cleanest read on current form. The shape of the role has been consistent across the recent fixtures, with minutes-per-match the most reliable proxy for selection security.

Metric2025-26 (to date)
Appearances8
Minutes518
Goals / points186 runs
Assists / secondary12 wickets
PositionOff-spin allrounder
Foot / handednessRight-hand bat · left-arm orthodox

What we're watching

The selection picture for the next fixture is the focus. The role within the system has been consistent across the last six matches, with the manager using the player in the same third of the pitch.

  • Whether the role changes with the next opposition, or stays consistent with the recent pattern.
  • Whether the minutes load increases against deeper-lying opponents, where the late runs become the goal threat.
  • Whether the conditioning data points to a sustained minutes load or a rotation through the next three fixtures.

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