Cricket fans around the world witnessed a surprising twist in the third ODI between India and Australia at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot on September 27, 2023. As Australia set a formidable target of 353 runs for India, all eyes were on India’s innings, but to everyone’s astonishment, it was Washington Sundar who walked out to the crease alongside Rohit Sharma to open the innings.
The unexpected decision by the Indian team management sparked a frenzy on Twitter, with cricket enthusiasts divided on whether it was a strategic move or a risky experiment.
India’s unconventional choice to open with Washington Sundar
In the past few months, India’s opening pair in ODIs has featured the likes of Rohit and Shubman Gill or Ishan Kishan. However, with neither of these seasoned openers in the lineup for this match, the decision to send Sundar to open the innings alongside the India skipper raised eyebrows.
Some fans and experts speculated that this might be a tactical move in preparation for the upcoming World Cup, as India wants to avoid shuffling the batting order of Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul. Nevertheless, others were sceptical, deeming it an unconventional and potentially risky choice.
Sundar survives controversial run-out
The dramatic turn of events didn’t end with the surprising opening choice of India. Early in the innings, Sundar even found himself at the centre of a controversial run-out scenario. On the fifth ball of the second over, Josh Hazlewood bowled a length delivery on the leg stump, which Sundar nudged towards mid-on and set off for a quick single. The fielder at mid-wicket showcased exceptional reflexes and scored a direct hit at the bowler’s end. The decision went up to the third umpire, who meticulously reviewed the footage frame-by-frame.
In the end, the decision was given in Sundar’s favour as his bat was found to have just crossed the crease by the narrowest of margins exactly when the bail lit up. However Sundar later failed to cash in on the opportunity and was dismissed for 18 runs off 30 balls.
Also WATCH: Jasprit Bumrah cleans up Glenn Maxwell with a toe-crushing yorker during third ODI in Rajkot
Internet buzz
As the surprising events unfolded on the cricket field, Twitter was abuzz with reactions from cricket fans, experts, and enthusiasts. The unconventional decision to have Sundar open and his subsequent survival of the controversial run-out generated a wide range of opinions. Some applauded the Indian team’s boldness in trying new strategies, while others expressed concern about tinkering with the established order.
Here’s how Twitter reacted
Clearly, India want their World Cup batters to bat in positions they are likely to occupy at the World Cup. So with Kohli, Shreyas and KL Rahul at 3,4,5 it needed someone to open the batting from below them. Washington Sundar should see this as a great opportunity.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) September 27, 2023
Washington Sundar is saved from a runout because of a latency in the bail lights and the frame rate of the cameras being used. Goes to show how even with all the technology at our disposal you can’t make a concrete decision on whether or not 2 things have happened simultaneously.
— ansh (@343Ansh) September 27, 2023
Is this decision considered controversial?
When the ball hit the stumps, Washington Sundar wasn’t inside the crease, but once his bat was back within the crease, the stump lights lit up. According to the rules, if the lights don’t flash despite the ball hitting the stumps, it… pic.twitter.com/4W50KXIIjJ
— Vipin Tiwari (@vipintiwari952) September 27, 2023
Just when we feel like we’ve seen enough of the management’s experiments and tactics… Washington Sundar comes out to open with Rohit Sharma 😭😭💀💀#INDvsAUS #ICCWorldCup
— Divyaj Tomar (@divyaj_tomar) September 27, 2023
Umpire ne yeh not out kese de dia? 👀
Washington Sundar bach gaya. Aray yaar, Virat Kohli ko dekhna tha batting karte :/ #CWC23 #INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/bPaE5Zl2s1— Leo (@iamleo825) September 27, 2023
Look who is opening with Rohith👀
Washington Sundar comes off from nowhere 😎#INDvsAUS #3rdODI #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/5hAm6qAS5T
— Manu.🇮🇳 (@virat_facts) September 27, 2023
Washington Sundar is opening. We might see Ashwin uploading a 3-hour long batting video on his YouTube tomorrow.
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) September 27, 2023
#IndvAus Mighty Mighty close!!
Run out attempt and Sundar is just about IN..
IN by the barest of margins. pic.twitter.com/WDuxrZYMyL
— Anurag Sinha (@anuragsinha1992) September 27, 2023
This is ultimate epic… Sundar opening… waah re Dravid & Rohit 🙏🙏🙏 … I hope bcci and selectors are in loop with this decision @BCCI #INDvsAUS #IndvsAus2023
— Samip Rajguru (@samiprajguru) September 27, 2023
Washington Sundar opening the batting. What an opportunity for him to play against Starc, Hazlewood and Cummins. 🇦🇺
You can’t get a better guide than captain Rohit Sharma at the other end, he will definitely make a good impact. ❤️🇮🇳#INDvsAUS #RohitSharma𓃵 pic.twitter.com/j4Zmby96E9
— Atul Tiwari (@iTiwariAtul) September 27, 2023
Washington Sundar & Rohit Sharma opening for India….!!! pic.twitter.com/7oBZuViTLZ
— Himanshu Ladha (@HimanshuLadha8) September 27, 2023