Washington Sundar, who failed YoYo Test at 18, set for India chance vs Sri Lanka

At 18, Washington Sundar has already realised one dream of his career by making it to the India team. Being initially selected for T20Is, he was the last-minute pick, replacing injured Kedar Jadhav in ODIs. Now, all that the youngster from Tamil Nadu can do is to wait for his chance.

With India trailing, it looks like Sundar’s wait might get longer, but the all-rounder thinks he is mentally and physically ready --- despite initially failing the fitness test --- to play in whatever role the team gives him.

“I am ready to bowl 10 overs of my off-spin and also contribute with the bat no matter what position the team is in. I want to bat where my team wants me to. I should be able to fill in the boots the management wants me to,” Sundar said, ahead of the second ODI against Sri Lanka in Mohali.

Sundar, who has played in the IPL alongside MS Dhoni, feels a few more runs on a seaming Dharamsala track could have made the difference in the first match.

“It has been my fourth day to be precise, but I feel I’ve been in the team for long. You do see a lot of wickets like that (Dharamsala). In a Ranji Trophy season, you get to play two games on tracks similar to Dharamshala. The way Mahi bhai (MS Dhoni) batted was really good; he went for the counter attack. One more batsman with him would have made the difference. Another 60-70 runs would have made a lot of difference,” he said.