According to former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, Washington Sundar’s game-winning cameo against Punjab Kings would undoubtedly allay some of the Gujarat Titans’ early concerns regarding the vulnerability of their middle order.
With five fours and a six, Washington, who came in at number five, hit 40 not out off 23 balls to finish a challenging chase of 164 with one ball remaining, keeping GT in the running for a playoff spot.
“Washington Sundar’s innings was extremely important because it addressed a key question around Gujarat Titans’ middle order,” PTI quoted Ashwin telling JioStar after GT beat PBKS by five wickets.
He was impressed by Washington’s ability to end the game with the necessary poise, which gave the team management confidence to use him as a flexible option.
“While a lot of their runs come from the top three, contributions like this show the depth they have. Washington has often been used as a flexible option, but he stepped up, handled the pressure well, and ensured the chase was completed.
“It might not have looked flashy, but it was a very composed and clinical effort to get the team over the line,” Ashwin added.
It can be challenging to chase targets like 164, but GT stands out from other teams thanks to their meticulous, condition-based approach.
“Gujarat Titans were once again incredibly composed in the way they approached the chase. Their batting may not always look explosive, but it’s highly methodical and built around understanding conditions.
“On pitches like these, where 160-170 is a competitive score, it is about controlling the game and executing your plans rather than chasing big numbers. They have shown remarkable consistency over the years with this approach, and credit goes to both, the management and the players, for sticking to their process and getting the job done under pressure,” Ashwin said.
