Sundar Reveals Gambhir’s Big Impact on His Game

Following his game-winning performance in India’s first ODI against England at Edgbaston, Washington Sundar thanked Gujarat Titans coach Ashish Nehra and India head coach Gautam Gambhir for their contributions to his development as a batter.

With six wickets remaining, India beat a target of 259 to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, and the all-rounder remained unbeaten on 52. With India still needing 110 runs, captain Shubman Gill left injured on 80, and Sundar came in at number five.

To lead the visitors home, he formed an unbroken 102-run partnership with Player of the Match Axar Patel.

Sundar has been assigned many batting positions in various formats over the years. He has batted as high as No. 4 in Test cricket, but he is mostly used as a finisher in Twenty20 Internationals. Against England, he reacted to the team’s demands and played a calm innings under pressure.

The 26-year-old cricketer values his adaptability and enjoys the challenge of batting in varied situations. “The fact that I play different roles is exciting.” Not many people get to play multiple roles. I get to play a variety of roles and scenarios.

Obviously, I do my best to help the team win. “As I previously stated, it is exciting to be in different situations and phases of the game,” Sundar told India Today.

Since becoming India’s head coach in July 2024, Gautam Gambhir has had a big impact on Sundar’s batting.

The Tamil Nadu cricketer revealed that Gambhir helped him improve his batting skills. He also thanked Gujarat Titans coach Ashish Nehra for assisting him in growing both personally and professionally as a cricket player.

“Gauti bhai always made me grasp what I was capable of with the bat, and he also helped me comprehend my game. Even Ashish Nehra at GT has always made sure… he has helped me understand myself a lot better, whether as a person or as a cricketer in general,” Sundar said.

Team India will strive to secure the series with another great performance in the second ODI, which is scheduled for July 16 at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff, following an overpowering victory in the first ODI.