Former India cricketer Woorkeri Venkat Raman suggested that head coach Gautam Gambhir pick Washington Sundar as the number three batter in the upcoming two-Test match series against England, which is scheduled to start from October 02. The former India opener further explained that it will allow coach Gautam Gambhir to include an extra batter/bowler in the line-up, depending on the situation.
Washington Sundar to bat at number three
Notably, Sai Sudharsan and Karun Nair featured at number three in the recently concluded five-Test match series of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025, where the Karnataka batter scored 205 in four encounters at an average of 25.62, while the Tamil Nadu youngster could only manage 140 in three, at an average of 23.33.
“It may sound strange, but I may look at Washington Sundar as a No. 3 for Tests. Look Sai Sudharsan is fantastic, but where I’m trying to get at is, if Washi is played at the top of the order.. he can of course give you a lot of overs as well, and can get you wickets. He started his career as an opener.
“I’m not trying to run down any top-order batter here, but if you look at how Washi and Ravindra Jadeja have batted, they are batting as good as anyone else in the team. They should be put on the same pedestal as the top-order batters,” said WV Raman as quoted by InsideSport.
Sarfaraz Khan to miss spot
WV Raman believes that Mumbai batter Sarfaraz Khan, who made his international debut against England in 2024, might not find a spot in the Shubman Gill-led India squad for the West Indies series.
“You would probably find it difficult to slot in batters (on Sarfaraz Khan). In home matches, you’ll have Axar Patel, Jadeja, Kuldeep and Washi.. Again, in the home series, Washi batting at no. 3 is a great option. So, if you want to go with three spinners, and Washi at no.3, who can take wickets, is a great option to have,” WV Raman concluded.
The two Tests are in Ahmedabad (from October 2 to 6) and New Delhi (from October 10 to 14).