Daijiworld Media Network - Visakhapatnam

Visakhapatnam, Dec 7: Former India batter Mohammad Kaif has questioned Washington Sundar’s credentials as a bowler ahead of the third and final ODI against South Africa, drawing comparisons with former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Kaif said Sundar “is not even half of Ashwin” in terms of skill and highlighted the lack of trust shown by captains over time. “Even in Tests and ODIs under different captains, not one but all of them have not given him full overs. When the game is tight, they go to Jadeja and Kuldeep. There is no trust that he can pick wickets at any stage,” Kaif said.

Kaif also criticized the team management for adding extra pressure on Sundar by expecting him to contribute with the bat. “His wicket-taking ability is less, and now you want him to bat. Make him do one thing and give him a clear role. Batting can be a bonus, but his main role is bowling. If his bowling suffers, he will fall further behind. He needs to work on his skills and variations to play longer for India,” he added.

In the first two ODIs against South Africa, Sundar has bowled just seven overs without taking a wicket and scored only 14 runs with the bat.