Kris Srikkanth Questions Washington Sundar’s India Recall

Former India cricketer Kris Srikkanth has questioned Washington Sundar’s selection for the upcoming three-match T20 series against Afghanistan, arguing that the all-rounder should have demonstrated match fitness in competitive cricket before returning to the national side.

Sundar has been named in India’s squad subject to fitness clearance after recovering from a hamstring injury suffered during the third ODI against England in July. He has since been at the Centre of Excellence for his recovery. India will begin the Afghanistan series on September 13, with all three T20Is scheduled to be played at the Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium in New Delhi.

The discussion around Sundar’s recall matters because he is among the players returning to the squad under fitness conditions. Jasprit Bumrah has also been included subject to fitness clearance, while Nitish Kumar Reddy and Harshit Rana are part of the selected group for the series.

Srikkanth raises match-fitness concern

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Srikkanth said Sundar had not provided enough evidence of match readiness before being selected. He pointed to the need for players to take part in games at some level before being considered for India duty.

“He is good in Tests but didn’t play in Sri Lanka. How is he fit now, in two weeks? He has not proved his match fitness, so what is the use? You must play some matches at some level to show your fitness before being picked for India. You can’t just play with a doctor’s certificate. Washington Sundar seems to be injured after every two or three series,” Srikkanth said.

The former India player also assessed Sundar’s recent white-ball form, while acknowledging his progress in Test cricket. “He was smashed in Ireland and England. He started his cricket from the T20 format. He moved brilliantly to Test cricket, but he has lost his rhythm in white-ball cricket,” he added.

Sundar’s place in the squad comes after his injury during the England ODI series. His availability for the Afghanistan matches remains linked to the required fitness clearance, as stated with the squad announcement.

India squad and Afghanistan series schedule

India’s squad for the Afghanistan T20 series includes Shreyas Iyer, Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana.

Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah and Harshit Rana have been marked subject to fitness clearance. The selection gives India a group containing specialist batters, wicketkeepers, all-rounders, spin options and pace resources for the three fixtures in New Delhi.

The first T20I is set for September 13, followed by the second match on September 15 and the third on September 17. Each game will be held at the Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium.

For Sundar, the series selection places focus on whether he receives clearance and returns to action for India. Srikkanth’s comments have made match fitness the central issue surrounding the all-rounder’s inclusion, while the squad prepares for the Afghanistan series.