In a recent live interaction with a Criczop writer, Brad Hogg discussed the teams and their lineups ahead of the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Adelaide, which will be a Day/Night Pink Ball Test. One key topic that came up was the role of Washington Sundar in the Indian lineup, and whether he should be retained or replaced by Ravi Jadeja or Ravi Ashwin for the Pink Ball Test.
Brad Hogg Prefers Washington SundarÂ
Brad Hogg directly asked the Criczop writer for their opinion on Sundar’s position in the squad, and the writer was clear in their response, suggesting that Sundar should continue in the lineup. They highlighted Sundar’s excellent batting form, which has been useful for India lower down the order, and his ability to bowl effectively with the Pink ball. The writer also emphasized that Sundar’s height could work to his advantage, allowing him to extract more bounce and making him a perfect wicket-taking option in Adelaide’s conditions. The writer concluded that India could benefit from going with a one-spinner setup, with Sundar leading the spin attack.
Brad Hogg agreed with this assessment, noting how Sundar’s overspin had been effective for India during their recent tour of New Zealand and would similarly help in Australian conditions. Hogg also acknowledged Ashwin's improvement, particularly in English conditions, but emphasized that Sundar’s overspin and overall skillset made him a more viable option for the Pink Ball Test. The Pink Ball, under lights, tends to offer more bounce and can become softer, which aligns with Sundar’s style of bowling.
Both Hogg and the Criczop writer agreed that Sundar’s ability to bowl effectively under lights, along with his handy contributions with the bat, made him the best choice over Ashwin and Jadeja for this particular Test. Sundar’s versatility as both a bowler and a batsman gives India a balanced edge in the Pink Ball format, and it seems both Hogg and the writer are confident that he will thrive in these conditions.
In summary, while Ravi Ashwin and Ravi Jadeja have been mainstays in India’s spin attack, Brad Hogg and the Criczop writer both favor Washington Sundar for the Pink Ball Test in Adelaide. Sundar’s overspin, combined with his batting prowess, makes him an ideal choice for India’s lineup in this high-stakes Day/Night Test.