CRICKET | Washington the most recent to occupy the seat within the No. 3 musical chair sport

GUWAHATI

Batting at No. 3 is among the most important roles in Check cricket. The job description is expansive: a batter have to be technically sound to face the second ball of the match and versatile sufficient to push the sport ahead when the openers construct a strong platform.

Over the past three many years, India has been fortunate to have two reliable batters who’ve owned that position. First, Rahul Dravid left an enduring legacy, after which Cheteshwar Pujara seamlessly took over.

Nonetheless, in latest instances, filling that spot has turn out to be a sport of musical chairs. Within the first Check towards South Africa in Kolkata, Washington Sundar turned the seventh and newest man to be entrusted with fixing this puzzle ever since Gautam Gambhir turned the coach.

The early indicators are good. The tall left-hander could have made solely 29 and 31 however he introduced a way of calm, courtesy his sound technical basis. Regardless of India’s 30-run loss, he was a brilliant spot, remaining largely untroubled on a spiteful floor with uneven bounce. Notably, he confronted essentially the most balls within the sport (174).

Washington Sundar and Rishabh Pant arrive in Guwahati on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, forward of India’s essential Check towards South Africa starting on November 22.
| Photograph Credit score:
RITURAJ KONWAR

His assurance, although, shouldn’t shock anybody, for he began as a top-order bat for Tamil Nadu earlier than getting used primarily as a bowling all-rounder for India.

“He has a sound defence. If you belief it, you are likely to play confidently. The best way he performed by attending to the pitch of the ball with the bat in entrance confirmed his confidence… with out worrying about getting caught at short-leg or foolish level,” defined M. Senthilnathan, Washington’s long-time coach and mentor.

Whereas the Eden Gardens fixture showcased his sport towards spin, the 26-year-old is equally adept at enjoying tempo. In his debut Check in 2021 towards Australia, he made important contributions within the memorable win on the Gabba in Brisbane.

Earlier this 12 months in England, strolling in at No. 5 at Outdated Trafford in Manchester, Washington scored a match-saving maiden century on the ultimate day. Within the fifth and last Check at The Oval, he blazed a quickfire half-century, shepherding the tail to arrange a well-known win and assist stage the collection 2-2.

Washington Sundar performs a shot on the second day of the primary cricket Check match between India and South Africa on the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Saturday, November 15, 2025.
| Photograph Credit score:
Okay.R. DEEPAK

“At the same time as a 14-year-old, he had loads of time towards tempo bowlers,” added Senthilnathan. “Extra importantly, he has the temperament to play the lengthy sport and drive bowlers to bowl to his strengths.”

Now that Washington is auditioning for the No. 3 position, it stays to be seen if he will get an extended run than his predecessors B. Sai Sudharsan and Karun Nair. Given the place’s significance, it might be time to pause the music.