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Team India's assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has defended all-rounder Washington Sundar amid his below par performances in the ongoing ODI series against South Africa. Ten Doeschate asserted that a couple of poor games won't affect the versatile cricketer's confidence.
India will take on South Africa in the third and final ODI of the three-match series at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam on Saturday, December 6. While the Men in Blue won the first match in Ranchi by 17 runs, the Proteas squared the series with a four-wicket win in Raipur.
Sundar has failed to make an impact with either bat or ball in the two ODIs played so far. He has registered scores of 13 & 1 and has failed to claim a single wicket in the seven overs he has bowled across two matches. Speaking at a press conference ahead of the deciding ODI, ten Doeschate backed Sundar and said:
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"When it comes to finger spinners, you are obviously looking for match-ups. Essentially, Washi is one of the six bowlers - Washi and Jaddu. You've got three seamers and Kuldeep as your wicket-taking spinner. In those conditions, we are not going to bowl more than 20 overs of spin.
"Don't think it has affected his confidence. Washington is still learning, particularly when it comes to batting. It has become a specialized role, coming in with five fielders in the ring. There are certain things he wants to work on. He has had a very good 12 months. He's played some good cricket and two games where he hasn't featured won't dent his confidence," the former Dutch star added.
India might ponder on replacing Sundar with Tilak Varma for the deciding ODI in Visakhapatnam. Varma has been in good form in T20Is and was the Player of the final in the Asia Cup 2025 final.
"That is a bit of an anomaly" - Ryan ten Doeschate on India preferring specialists in ODIs over Tests
India have preferred going in with more all-rounders in Test matches recently, while they have given greater preference to specialists when playing one-day cricket. India's assistant coach admitted that it is something unexpected. He said:
"I guess that is a bit of an anomaly. You know, you would think Test Cricket, you would have more specialists but it is just where we are at the moment in the cycle and the guys we think at the moment are the best guys to represent the team.
"Ideally, in Test cricket, you have a more solid base of batters and bowlers but we feel at the moment the guys who are doing the job for us just happen to be all-rounders. I just think it is picking your best XI and that is just the way it is all in the world," he concluded.
After the third ODI against South Africa on Saturday, the Men in Blue will take on the Proteas in five T20Is from December 9 to December 19.
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