Washington Sundar

Washington Sundar - All-rounder

Washington Sundar

Role: All-rounder
DOB: 05 October 1999
IPL Team (2026): Unsold
Base Price: ₹1.5 Crore (last known, 2024 auction)

IPL CAREER STATISTICS (Updated April 2026)

Batting & Fielding

Year Mat Inn NO Runs HS Avg BF SR 100 50 4s 6s CT
Career 58 36 12 338 40 14.08 289 116.95 0 0 25 14 15
2023 7 6 1 60 24 12.00 55 109.09 0 0 4 2 3
2022 9 8 1 101 40 14.42 66 153.03 0 0 8 4 2
2021 6 5 1 31 10 7.75 28 110.71 0 0 2 1 2
2020 15 10 5 111 21* 22.20 100 111.00 0 0 9 3 4
2019 3 2 1 10 10* 10.00 10 100.00 0 0 1 0 1
2018 7 4 1 14 9* 4.66 16 87.50 0 0 1 0 2
2017 11 5 2 11 10* 11.00 14 78.57 0 0 0 2 1

Bowling

Year Mat Balls Runs Wkts BBI Avg Econ SR 4W 5W
Career 58 1080 1309 33 3/16 39.66 7.27 32.72 0 0
2023 7 102 147 3 3/28 49.00 8.64 34.00 0 0
2022 9 144 200 6 3/21 33.33 8.33 24.00 0 0
2021 6 102 126 3 1/30 42.00 7.41 34.00 0 0
2020 15 312 335 8 2/16 41.87 6.44 39.00 0 0
2019 3 60 74 1 1/13 74.00 7.40 60.00 0 0
2018 7 120 169 4 2/29 42.25 8.45 30.00 0 0
2017 11 240 258 8 3/16 32.25 6.45 30.00 0 0

The Story of Washington Sundar

Born in Chennai, Washington Sundar’s cricketing journey began with a unique twist – named after a mentor of his father, the left-handed off-spinner quickly made a name for himself in Tamil Nadu’s domestic circuit. A prodigy from a young age, Sundar’s calm demeanor and ability to bowl tight lines in the powerplay caught the eye of IPL scouts. His breakthrough came in the 2017 season when, as a fresh-faced 17-year-old, he was drafted into the Rising Pune Supergiant squad as a replacement player. He didn’t just fill a spot; he owned it, delivering crucial spells that helped RPS reach the final.

Sundar’s bowling style is characterized by his unerring accuracy and subtle variations. He bowls a flatter trajectory, often targeting the stumps, making it difficult for batsmen to get under the ball. His ability to take pace off the ball without compromising control has made him a go-to option in the powerplay, where he consistently stifles scoring rates. While primarily known for his bowling, Sundar is also a clean striker of the cricket ball, capable of hitting boundaries down the order, and an athletic fielder, making him a true all-round package.

His career, however, has been punctuated by unfortunate injuries, often occurring at crucial junctures. From finger injuries to hamstring issues, these setbacks have prevented him from consistently showcasing his full potential across seasons. Despite these challenges, Sundar’s talent remains undeniable. His stint with Royal Challengers Bangalore saw him evolve further, becoming a vital cog in their bowling attack, particularly in the restrictive role. Later, a big-money move to Sunrisers Hyderabad promised a more prominent batting role, though injuries again limited his impact.

Washington Sundar embodies the modern T20 cricketer – versatile, calm under pressure, and impactful in multiple facets of the game. His journey is a testament to his resilience, and as he looks to overcome his injury woes, the cricketing world eagerly awaits his consistent return to peak form, especially given his potential to be a genuine match-winner with both bat and ball.

IPL Journey: Team by Team

Washington Sundar’s IPL career began with a bang in 2017, picked up by the Rising Pune Supergiant for his base price of ₹10 Lakh. He quickly became a revelation, particularly with his economical powerplay bowling. His standout performance in the Qualifier 1 against Mumbai Indians (3/16) was instrumental in RPS reaching the final. He ended the season with 8 wickets at an impressive economy of 6.45.

Following RPS’s disbandment, Sundar was acquired by Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 2018 mega-auction for a significant ₹3.2 Crore. He spent four seasons with RCB (2018-2021). While his initial seasons (2018, 2019) were somewhat muted due to injuries and competition, he truly shone in 2020. That season, he was RCB’s most economical bowler, conceding just 6.44 runs per over across 15 matches, often bowling critical overs in the powerplay and middle overs. His batting also showed glimpses of potential with quick cameos. The 2021 season was cut short for him due to injury, limiting his impact.

In the 2022 mega-auction, Sunrisers Hyderabad secured his services for a hefty ₹8.75 Crore, signaling their intent to use him as a primary all-rounder. He started strongly, showcasing his hitting prowess with a quickfire 40 against Gujarat Titans and picking up 3/21 against the same opposition. However, injuries again plagued his time at SRH, limiting him to just 9 matches in 2022 and 7 in 2023. Despite flashes of brilliance, including a 3-wicket haul and a 24-run cameo in 2023, he couldn’t maintain consistent availability or form. He was released by SRH ahead of the 2024 auction and went unsold, primarily due to ongoing injury concerns and a dip in form.

What Makes Them Special: Betting Perspective

For bettors, Washington Sundar presents a fascinating, albeit sometimes frustrating, proposition. His primary strength lies in his powerplay bowling economy. On pitches offering even a hint of turn or grip, Sundar can be incredibly difficult to score off, making him a strong bet for ‘under’ on his runs conceded prop bets, especially in the first six overs. He rarely bowls full tosses or easy boundary balls, preferring to stick to a tight, stump-to-stump line.

However, his wicket-taking ability is often inconsistent. While he can pick up crucial wickets, he’s not typically a multi-wicket taker, reflected in his career average of 39.66. Betting on him for ‘over’ on 1.5 wickets might be risky unless the pitch is a rank turner or he’s facing a particularly vulnerable batting lineup against spin. His BBI of 3/16 highlights his potential, but such performances are rare. His strike rate of 32.72 also suggests he needs a good number of balls to pick up a wicket.

With the bat, Sundar is a handy lower-order hitter. He has the capability to hit crucial boundaries and sixes, particularly against pace. If he gets 10-15 balls, he can make a significant impact, as seen in his 40 off 17 balls in 2022. Consider ‘over’ on his runs prop if he’s promoted up the order or if the team needs quick runs at the death. However, his batting consistency has been a weakness, and he often struggles to convert starts into substantial scores. His career strike rate of 116.95 is decent for a lower-order batsman, but not explosive enough for a top-order role.

Conditions are key for Sundar. He thrives on slower, turning tracks where his variations and accuracy are amplified. On flat, high-scoring pitches, his lack of genuine pace or mystery spin can make him vulnerable. Keep an eye on the pitch report and venue history. His fielding is generally reliable, so look for ‘over’ on catches if he’s positioned in key areas. The biggest caveat for betting on Sundar remains his injury history; always check the latest team news for his fitness status.

Key Records & Milestones

  • Youngest Player in an IPL Final: At 17 years and 223 days, Washington Sundar became the youngest player to feature in an IPL final (2017, for Rising Pune Supergiant).
  • Economical Powerplay Specialist: In IPL 2020, he was one of the most economical bowlers in the powerplay, often delivering crucial overs at an economy rate below 7.00 for RCB.
  • Best Bowling Figures: His career-best IPL bowling figures are 3/16, achieved twice – once in the 2017 Qualifier 1 against Mumbai Indians and again in 2022 against Gujarat Titans.
  • Highest Score: His highest IPL score is 40 runs off just 17 balls against Gujarat Titans in IPL 2022, showcasing his explosive batting potential.

IPL Season Highlights

IPL 2017 (Rising Pune Supergiant): This was Sundar’s breakout season. As a 17-year-old, he emerged as a surprise package, particularly in the playoffs. His most memorable performance came in Qualifier 1 against Mumbai Indians, where he picked up 3 crucial wickets for just 16 runs, dismantling their top order and helping RPS secure a spot in the final. He finished the season with 8 wickets at an excellent economy of 6.45, playing a pivotal role in RPS’s journey to the final.

IPL 2020 (Royal Challengers Bangalore): Sundar was a vital cog in RCB’s bowling attack, consistently delivering economical spells. He bowled 52 overs across 15 matches, conceding just 6.44 runs per over – an outstanding figure for a bowler often operating in the powerplay. While he only picked up 8 wickets, his ability to choke runs allowed other bowlers to attack. His best bowling performance was 2/16 against Mumbai Indians, showcasing his control against a strong batting lineup.

IPL 2022 (Sunrisers Hyderabad): After a big auction price, Sundar showed glimpses of his all-round potential. Against Gujarat Titans, he delivered a brilliant all-round performance, first picking up 3 wickets for 21 runs with the ball, and then smashing a quickfire 40 runs off just 17 balls, including 3 fours and 3 sixes. This match highlighted his capability to impact the game significantly with both bat and ball when fully fit and firing.