A little over a week after Ravichandran Ashwin announced his retirement from international cricket, Washington Sundar, who many see as the spin legend's potential successor in India's Test team, shared his thoughts on his chats with Ashwin during and before the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Ashwin, who is 38, wrapped up his career after the Gabba Test in Brisbane, finishing with an impressive 765 wickets. However, not being able to secure a consistent spot in India's Playing XI for overseas Tests likely influenced his decision to retire.

In the series opener at Perth, Ashwin was left out of the lineup, with Sundar taking the role as the only spinner. Then in Adelaide, Ashwin came back in, but that was reportedly at Rohit's request. However, he lost his spot again in Brisbane, with Ravindra Jadeja taking his place at the Gabba, creating a bit of a rotation situation.

Preparation is always part of the game for me, whether I'm actively playing or just unsure if I will. It's something we engage in daily, like our daily bread. I've had plenty of chats about Ash, especially about the conditions in Australia, which have really opened my eyes. He’s been here several times, and this was his fifth tour with the red ball. So, we had a lot of discussions even before this tour kicked off. Having someone with his level of skill and experience to share insights about Australia—a significant tour—has definitely been beneficial, Sundar mentioned during India's Day 2 press conference at the MCG on Friday.

Sundar made his return to India's Playing XI for the Boxing Day Test, stepping in for Shubman Gill as the team opted for two spinners, him and Ravindra Jadeja, along with a third all-rounder, Nitish Reddy. It was a bold move, and Sundar came on after 20 overs, finishing with figures of 1/49, including the crucial wicket of a well-set Marnus Labuschagne.

Sundar has plenty more to accomplish in this Test

Sundar knows he still has work to do. With India down five wickets and trailing Australia by over 300 runs, he really needs to step up with the bat. The last half hour of Day 2 was rough for India, and they’re counting on the two overnight batters – Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja – along with Sundar and Reddy to make a difference.

"It's pretty cool that the team expects me to excel in all areas of the game. It's a fantastic chance for me. I need to do whatever the team needs, no matter the situation. It's all about being out there, bringing the right energy, and getting the job done," he shared.

"We were in a solid spot to rack up some big runs, but we’ll bounce back and keep fighting tomorrow morning. The vibe in the dressing room is great, and everyone’s feeling positive. We’ve got plenty of time left in the game, with three days and lots of overs to play, so it’s all about us putting in the effort and getting things done for the team."

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