Washington Sundar, the Indian all-rounder, has been nominated for the ICC Player of the Month award due to his stellar performances in recent T20I series against Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka.
Sundar played a crucial role in India’s T20I series against Zimbabwe, where he was a standout performer. With the main T20I players resting after their triumph in the Men’s T20 World Cup, Sundar took the opportunity to shine as a leading spin-bowling all-rounder. Despite India’s initial setback in the first match, where they lost by 13 runs chasing 115, Sundar’s all-round contributions were notable. He took 2 wickets for 11 runs and scored a crucial 27 runs.
Sundar’s efforts were pivotal in turning the series around. After the first loss, India bounced back to win the series 4-1, with Sundar taking six more wickets in the remaining four matches. His exceptional performance in the third T20I, where he took 3 wickets for 15 runs, earned him the Player of the Match award. He finished the series as the joint highest wicket-taker with eight wickets, which earned him the Player of the Series accolade.
Continuing his impressive form, Sundar played a significant role in the T20I series against Sri Lanka. Even with the return of regular players, he made a mark in a thrilling Super Over match. In a low-scoring game, his quick 25 runs off 18 balls helped India set a competitive target of 137/8. Later, with Sri Lanka needing 23 runs from 24 balls with eight wickets in hand, Sundar took two crucial wickets in two deliveries, leading to a dramatic turnaround and eventually a Super Over. He bowled brilliantly in the Super Over, conceding only two runs and taking two wickets, ensuring India’s series sweep.
Alongside Sundar, England’s Gus Atkinson and Scotland’s Charlie Cassell have also been nominated for the ICC Player of the Month award. Atkinson had a memorable Test debut against the West Indies, taking 12 wickets in the match, while Cassell made headlines with a record-breaking seven-wicket haul in his ODI debut for Scotland against Oman.
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