Ishant Sharma Fined as Washington Sundar Takes His Chance in IPL 2025

Ishant Sharma was fined 25 percent of his match fee and given one demerit point recently for breaching the code of conduct in the game between Gujarat Titans and Sunrisers Hyderabad this season in the IPL 2025. He pleaded guilty to the charge under Article 2.2 that refers to the misuse of cricket gear or apparel or ground equipment on the pitch. Ishant did not contest the penalty and accepted the punishment from match referee Javagal Srinath. This was a Level 1 offence and it drew some attention to Ishant in a negative light.

In that game vs SRH Ishant leaked 53 runs in four of his overs with no wickets to speak of. It has been an ugly season till now for Ishant with a solitary wicket from three matches and an economy which GT wouldn't want anymore. After conceding freely in this game, he was relieved off the responsibility after only 13 overs and Sherfane Rutherford replaced him as his Impact Player replacement. This regulation allows teams to substitute a single player during the game according to match circumstances. Unfortunately for Ishant he lost out on this arrangement and it was yet another disappointing outing for the old pacer.

While Ishant was having a forgettable performance another player was silently making headlines. Washington Sundar who had been largely out of the playing eleven was given an unexpected opportunity in this match and he made the most of it. Washington has experienced a peculiar path in the IPL. He impressed with tight bowling in the powerplay in IPL 2017 but since then his career was riddled with highs and lows. Even in the Indian team there were times such as the 2020-21 Border Gavaskar Trophy where he played as a spinner but used the bat more to make the noise.

Following their release by Sunrisers Hyderabad at the end of last season, Washington was signed by Gujarat Titans but not even there was he able to secure a position on a consistent basis. The Impact Player rule has made it tougher for allrounders like Washington who are never specialists either bat or bowl. In a group of 12 he kept on losing out on combinations like Ishant and Rutherford who had the ability to play more distinctly. Even in the previous games in the season he was padded up but did not get a chance to play.

All changed in this game against SRH when the pitch was slow and low. That assisted the team management in deciding to introduce an additional spinner. Washington was given the opportunity perhaps also because SRH had three left-hand batsmen at the top. But again luck did not completely favor him and he did not even get to bowl a single over because the pitch favored fast bowlers more than spinners. Even then he remained prepared and when GT lost early wickets in the chase the coach sent him in at number four.

What followed was Washington's highlight of the season. He struck Simarjeet Singh for two fours and two sixes in an over and turned the match around. He made 49 runs and was involved in a solid 90-run partnership with Shubman Gill. This helped Gill find time to settle down and strategize the chase sensibly. As per the statistics Washington played the game's most valuable innings though Mohammed Siraj was awarded Player of the Match for his four wickets.

This game might be the turning point for Washington if GT provides him with more opportunities in the next games. But it is also evident that the team has faith in strategy rather than emotion. He may get to play again only if the pitch and combinations require a player like him. Their next match is against Rajasthan Royals and if the conditions are slow again he may come in place of a fast bowler and hold his spot.

This game displayed two different ways in one match. Whereas Ishant had issues on and off the pitch Washington capitalized on an unusual opportunity. The IPL is always surprising and moments like these make it even more exciting for fans and players alike.