Washington Sundar’s IPL Value Soars After Impressive Pune Test Performance

Washington Sundar's recent heroics in the Test match against New Zealand in Pune have significantly boosted his value ahead of the upcoming IPL auction. Despite India suffering a 113-run defeat, Sundar stood out as a key performer, picking up 11 wickets for 115 runs, including a remarkable seven-wicket haul in the first innings, which marked his best figures in First-Class cricket at 7 for 59.

Rising Stocks in the IPL

As the IPL mega auction approaches at the end of November in Riyadh, three of the league's most successful franchises—Mumbai Indians (MI), Chennai Super Kings (CSK), and Gujarat Titans (GT)—are reportedly keen to acquire Sundar. His impressive performance in Pune has made him a sought-after player, and there’s speculation that he might not be retained by his current team, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), leading him to enter the auction pool.

A source close to the situation mentioned, "Sundar is keen to go into the auction pool. At the moment, at least three teams - Mumbai Indians, Gujarat Titans, and Chennai Super Kings - have shown a huge interest in him. While he will not be in the Sunrisers Hyderabad's retention list, SRH could retain Sundar in the IPL auction by using the RTM (Right to Match) card."

Sundar's IPL Journey

Sundar, 25, has had a challenging time in the IPL recently due to the introduction of the 'Impact Player' rule, which limited his opportunities with Sunrisers. He played only two matches this past season, managing just one wicket in five overs while conceding 73 runs. Despite this limited exposure, his all-round capabilities and recent performances have positioned him as a hot prospect for the auction.

His consistent backing from selectors and management across formats has helped him secure a spot in the Indian squad for the upcoming Test series against Australia as the third spinner, alongside Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.

IPL Career Overview

In total, Washington Sundar has played 60 IPL matches across three franchises: Rising Pune Supergiant (2017), Royal Challengers Bangalore (2018-2021), and Sunrisers Hyderabad (since 2022). In those appearances, he has scored 378 runs and taken 37 wickets, showcasing his all-round capabilities.

Given the buzz surrounding his potential availability and his impressive performance in the Pune Test, Washington Sundar is poised to attract considerable interest in the upcoming IPL auction, making him one of the players to watch.