Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has questioned the team’s think tank for their utilization of Washington Sundar in the ongoing ODI series against South Africa. Sundar batted at number five in the opening ODI against the Proteas, but he was pushed down to number six in the second game.

Sundar was run out for a solitary run in the second game after facing eight deliveries. Furthermore, Sundar bowled four overs and went wicketless after conceding 28 runs.

Sundar was dismissed after scoring 13 runs in the opening game and bowled only three overs.

“What are we doing with Sundar? He was made to bat off-position at No. 5, and even that wasn’t done in the second match. We asked him to bat down the order. After that, we don’t want to bowl him for more than three or four overs,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.

“So what is this kind of handling? We need him, but we won’t use him. I am slightly surprised already, because even if you see the T20I setup, Nitish Kumar Reddy went out when Hardik Pandya came in and Rinku Singh had to go out for Washi to come in,” he added.

The renowned commentator said the team management will need to give more chances to Washington Sundar if they are sacrificing a lower-order batter.

“If you are sacrificing a lower-order batter, you have to give him (Washington) a chance somehow, but we are not giving him a chance properly. He is being made to bat down the order,” he said.

The former Delhi cricketer said it would be difficult for Washington Sundar to find success while batting at number five in the 50-over version.

“Even at No. 5, I feel ODI cricket might not be as kind to him. The number at which you are expecting him to bat, you are not able to make up your mind to make him bat there, and you are not making him bowl much. So I am still wondering what Washington Sundar’s role is,” Chopra observed.

The third and final ODI between India and South Africa will be played at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam, on Saturday.