Ever since the Impact Player rule was introduced in the Indian Premier League, Washington Sundar has had a rough time in the IPL. Last season, for example, he was given just two games by Sunrisers Hyderabad, who released him before the IPL auction. The Gujarat Titans, who secured his services in the auction, have also struggled to give him too many chances this season. He only played his first game in IPL 2025 on Sunday against Hyderabad, where he was not given a single over.
“Washington was with SRH for the longest time. They paid Rs 8 crore to acquire his services, and yet didn’t give him a proper opportunity. Even here at GT, he was picked up but didn’t get a single game until today — and still didn’t bowl. It’s quite bizarre how he’s been handled at the IPL level,” remarked
cricketer-turned-analyst Aakash Chopra on JioStar. “Today we had the discovery of Washington Sundar, the batter. Earlier, it was all about one-two-three in their batting. Now, suddenly, they’ve got another arrow in their quiver — which we didn’t think was available to them.”
Against the Mumbai Indians earlier in the season, Washington was padded up for all of GT’s innings waiting for his shot to come in as an Impact Player since the team were batting first. But the opportunity never arrived.
On Sunday, though, Gujarat brought him in as the No 4 batter and he had an instant impact in Hyderabad, smashing 49 runs off 29 balls as Gujarat won the game by seven wickets.
“The Impact Player Rule allowed us to balance things out with an extra bowler, but today, Washi (Washington) showed his class. That knock was outstanding. The energy he brings with the ball and in the field is just contagious. When you play against him, you know he’s a threat. When he’s in your team, he lifts everyone — it’s a different vibe altogether,” Gujarat captain Shubman Gill said after the game.
Chopra also predicted that Gujarat will use Washington more in coming IPL games.
“What I found exciting and impressive from both GT’s and Washington’s point of view, is that he now gives them one more option. In their top three, they’ve got one left-hander Sai Sudharsan, who bats deep. But after that, it was almost an all right-handed line-up until Rahul Tewatia. I think we’ll see Washington play a lot more games from here on — and play a bigger role too, including with the ball. His bowling is very underrated. Give him the new ball in the powerplay, and you’ll find him economical,” said Chopra.
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