Chasing 353 in the final ODI against Australia, India made the surprise move of promoting Washington Sundar to open alongside Rohit Sharma.
Shubman Gill was rested for the third match of the series while Ishan Kishan was absent due to illness. So India faced a dilemma as to who should join the captaincy at the top. They relied on Sundar, an all-rounder who usually bats in the lower order, to play the first match of the series.
Thunder was playing as an opener in international cricket for the first time, but he is not new to the role. He started as a first-class batsman in his junior cricket and has experience opening in the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL).
Sundar contributed 18 points off 30 balls and along with Rohit secured a 74-run opening stand. This move allowed the Indian middle-order batsman to maintain his place as this was his last ODI appearance before the 2023 World Cup.
Sundar wants to solidify his place in India’s World Cup squad. He, injured Axar Patel and Ravichandran Ashwin, who was recalled for this series, are competing for the two spots. He was the team’s most economical bowler in a high-scoring first innings, finishing with 0-48 after 10 overs. Australia posted a score of 352-7 in 50 overs, with four top batsmen scoring 50 runs. Mitchell Marsh top-scored with 96 runs and 84 deliveries.
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