Is Washington Sundar India's answer to Ravindra Jadeja in T20Is? Can the off-spinning all-rounder nail down a spot in the playing XI?

One of India’s finest all-rounders, Ravindra Jadeja, announced his retirement alongside skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli following India’s triumph in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. Jadeja ended his T20I career on a high note, lifting the cup in Barbados and signing off as the fifth highest wicket taker for the Men in Blue in T20 World Cups. 

Now that the veteran has retired from the shorter format of the game, India will be in the hunt for a proper all-rounder to take Jadeja’s place and they already might have found one in Washington Sundar. Sundar is currently playing for India in the five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe. 

Sundar’s performances vs Zimbabwe

Sundar has had a stellar series against Zimbabwe so far. The 24-year-old all-rounder has picked up six wickets in three matches so far, and also achieved career best figures of 3/15 in India’s latest win against the Chevrons to take a 2-1 lead in the series. 

Sundar also played a crucial role in the first T20I of the series. He picked up two wickets, giving away just 11 runs, and also played an important knock of 27 runs for the Men in Blue. Unfortunately, India lost that game by 13 runs at the Harare Sports Club.  

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Can Sundar replace Jadeja in T20Is?

Although Sundar is slowly turning into a clutch player for the Indian side with important performances under his belt, it's tough to say if he would be able to fill in the shoes of Jadeja in India’s playing XI. 

His off-spin bowling and important runs down the order could be game changing in decisive games, but there’s a lot of competition to make it to the final XI.