Washington Sundar has been one of the most underrated all-rounders in Indian cricket. Due to the immense competition from world-class compatriots Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, the young Tamil Nadu all-rounder had to wait for the right stage and time to shine big at the highest level, especially in the traditional format. He couldn’t consistently start as a regular in the longest format due to the team combination criteria. The 25-year-old showcased his performances whenever he got the opportunity, as he has scored 673 runs and picked up 32 wickets across 12 Test matches.
Contents
How Is Sundar’s Performance in the 4th Test?
He did an outstanding job in saving the 4th Test at Old Trafford, with a remarkable knock of 101* in the 2nd innings, marking his first ever century for the country. Following his impressive knock, the question arises why Washington Sundar in GT line-up wasn’t particularly prioritised during the IPL 2025. Though he was mainly used as a specialist batter by the franchise in different phases, rumours erupted, he might be released, and it’s tough to predict Washington Sundar’s IPL Team in 2026. In case he is released, it remains to be seen which all-rounder in GT takes his place.
Need match-saving knocks? We know whom to call 🤙 pic.twitter.com/njmw87KvzH
— Gujarat Titans (@gujarat_titans) July 27, 2025
Washington Sundar in IPL 2025
Washington Sundar was roped in by the Gujarat Titans (GT) franchise for a handsome amount of Rs 3.2 Crore in the 2025 IPL auction. The team already had a packed side, so he didn’t start in the first 3 games, and when they found they were a batter short, they surprisingly promoted him to No.4 against Sunrisers Hyderabad, and he made it count, smashing 49 from 29 balls, guiding Gujarat Titans to a facile 7-wicket win. His innings saw 5 fours and 2 sixes. Despite his efforts, he was benched again against the Rajasthan Royals.
Keep the 𝙎𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙧 shots coming 🫶 pic.twitter.com/Q859xy0acs
— Gujarat Titans (@gujarat_titans) May 30, 2025
He could feature in only 6 matches in the entire tournament. Washington Sundar’s another notable knock in IPL 2025 came against Mumbai Indians in the Eliminator, where he hammered 48 from 24 balls, comprising 5 fours and 3 sixes, but his efforts weren’t enough as GT fell short of 20 runs in the mammoth 228-run chase.
在 Instagram 查看這則貼文
Despite possessing good all-around skills, Washington Sundar in GT line-up was mainly used as a genuine batter. He bowled only 10.5 overs in 5 innings and picked up 2 wickets at an expensive economy of 10.24. With the bat, he made 133 runs at a strike rate of 166.25. As one of the key all-rounders in GT, he could have gotten more chances, but the management had other thoughts.
Prediction for Washington Sundar’s IPL Team in 2026
Being an upcoming all-rounder and also holding 9 years of experience in the cash-rich Indian Premier League, Washington Sundar doesn’t like to be ignored all the time by his franchises. He made his IPL debut back in 2017 for Rising Pune Super Giants; however, he has played only two full seasons, once in 2017 and 2020 for Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
在 Instagram 查看這則貼文
In the rest 7 seasons, he wasn’t the regular starter because he couldn’t meet the selection criteria of the team combination, and a dip in his form also affected him. The introduction of the Impact substitute rule in the 2023 season also made all-round abilities of Washington Sundar in GT very limited in 2025, as the franchise preferred a specialist over him. As a result, he couldn’t excel as an all-rounder in GT. In case if he gets released by GT, Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings will be willing to pick him for the IPL 2026. Here’s our opinions:
Rajasthan Royals (RR)
In the first place, the Rajasthan Royals are likely to be Washington Sundar’s IPL Team in 2026. Inagural champions might show interest in picking him as they completely lack an Indian all-rounder in their squad. Off-spinning all-rounders are rare to witness in the League; Washington Sundar could easily make it to the starting eleven. He will be 26 when he plays the next season of IPL, as the Rajasthan Royals prioritise younger players more than the established ones, hence Sundar will fall in the criteria.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
Chennai Super Kings will be keen to revamp the squad for the 2026 season following a disastrous IPL 2025, where they finished last in the standings with a mere 8 points. They had so much of underperforming all-rounders in the list, with Rachin Ravindra, Sam Curran, Deepak Hooda, and Vijay Shankar, who all couldn’t live up to the expectations. So, CSK will be closely watching Washington Sundar to include him if he gets released by the GT. Being from the same state, he will love to join the Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2026.
Final Words
The above-mentioned two teams might show interest in picking Washington Sundar for IPL 2026. Washington Sundar didn’t showcase his abilities to the full throttle as an all-rounder in GT in IPL 2025, so there are high chances of him getting released by the franchise.
In the personal level as well, Washington Sundar in GT wasn’t impressed with getting limited chances. With the IPL trading window still open, Washington Sundar might explore opportunities unofficially. There is a high chance that Washington Sundar’s IPL team in 2026 can be either the Rajasthan Royals or the Chennai Super Kings.
