"I believe he is a bowling all-rounder" - Ajinkya Rahane's stunning statement on Team India star ahead of IND vs SA 2025 2nd Test

Discarded batter Ajinkya Rahane made a stunning claim on Team India star Washington Sundar ahead of the second Test against South Africa. The game is set to begin on November 22 in Guwahati.

Notably, Washington Sundar batted at number three in the first Test. Sai Sudharsan, who did well at the position in the previous home series against the West Indies, did not feature in the playing 11. Ajinkya Rahane reckoned that it was tough for a batter if their position was not set in Test cricket.

Ajinkya Rahane expressed that batting at three would be confusing for Sundar and believed that he is a bowling all-rounder. While Sundar did fairly well on a difficult pitch at three, scoring 29 in the first innings and 31 in the second, he has not been a natural top-order batter and plays in the team more for his skills with the ball.

"It's very tough as a batter in Test cricket when you know your number is not set. You play at three and then suddenly you are out and the guy who bats at six is coming at three. Those who have done well at three and four have gotten that spot consistently for a long time before. You also send such signals. Sai Sudharsan did well at three against the West Indies. Sundar is a good batter. But coming at three and batting will be confusing for him. I believe he is a bowling all-rounder still," Rahane said on 'Ash ki Baat'.

In the same conversation, Ravichandran Ashwin added that he was asked to bat up the order during his playing days. However, he revealed that he maintained his focus more on bowling as a spinner. He reflected that bowling needed to be given more time as a spinner. The veteran added that Sundar's bowling could take a back seat if he batted at number three regularly from here on, which Ajinkya Rahane also agreed upon.

"There was a time in my career where my batting average was above 40. Many suggested me that I should bat up the order. But I took the decision that I want to do bowling and then batting. I am a bowler first as I came in the team that way. So I did not give much time to my batting. As you go deep in your career, you need to give more time to bowling. This is very confusing for someone like Washi. If he has to bat at three, then bowling will definitely fall into second gear," he said.

Sundar has played 16 Tests so far. The off-spinner has claimed 35 wickets at an average of 30.34 with three four-wicket hauls. He has scored 821 runs in 27 innings at an average of 43.21 with a hundred and five half-centuries.

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Ajinkya Rahane feels the batter at No.3 should be given security and a long rope

India have struggled to find a set number three batter in Tests post Cheteshwar Pujara being removed from the setup. While they did try Sai Sudharsan in a few games, they went with Washington Sundar in the first Test against South Africa.

Ajinkya Rahane believed that whoever would bat at three must be given a sense of security and a long rope. He added that it would help them play with freedom, as the players' careers were also at stake.

"Whoever is playing at three, be it Washi or Sai, it is important to get security at that spot. Only then can you play with freedom. Otherwise, you cannot play your game. If the team management is looking at Sai at three, give him a long rope. Or if they are looking at Washi there, then give him a long rope so he can prepare. Even a player's career is at stake. It is also important to communicate with the player sitting out then," Ajinkya Rahane said.

Notably, Sudharsan scored 87 runs in the first innings and 39 in the second against the West Indies in the second Test. Overall, he has played five games to date, scoring 273 runs at an average of 30.33 with two half-centuries.