Improved skills help Sundar adapt to multi-format roles

One of the few multi-format players for India, Washington Sundar relishes the challenges across formats.  

Having played a crucial part in India's first ODI win in Birmingham with his fighting fifty during the chase, the all-rounder spoke about how he savours the challenge that the diverse roles offer.

"The fact that I play different roles (across formats) is exciting. Not many people get to play different roles.

"I get to play those different roles and be in different situations, and obviously try my best to help the team win.

"Over the years I have understood that I've to keep improving my skillsets which will help me whenever the situation arrives (across formats)."

The visitors notched up their first win in the UK, after having lost to Ireland and England in the T20I series. Washington credited the ODI skipper Shubman Gill for his batting on a tricky Edgbaston wicket. 

"There was definitely a little bit on the wicket, but Shubman batted really well. Even Shreyas (Iyer), the partnership (with Shubman) was really important. 

"Axar (Patel)'s crucial boundaries made it look easy for us. It wasn't as easy as it looked like. We played really well and we're happy to have won this game."

England were off to a good start before pacer Gurnoor Brar struck twice in the same over, as the hosts slumped to 80/5 after being 61/0. 

Washington showered praise on the bowler, speaking highly of his character and the ability to chip in with crucial wickets when required.

"With Gurnoor, you can always expect character. I've been seeing him closely in the last couple of years, even with GT (Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League). 

"No matter what, he runs in hard every single ball. Not just in the games, even in practice sessions or even if he is not in the scheme of things, he'd still give his all every single session.

"From such characters, you'd always expect them to step up for the team when it matters. 

"The way he bowled was fabulous, he got those crucial wickets especially at crucial junctures that played a major part in this game."

Apart from Gurnoor's contribution, Axar was also instrumental in setting up India's victory with both the bat and the ball. Fellow all-rounder Washington elaborated on the importance of all-rounders in the game.

"It is a blessing for me to be an all-rounder. Any team would love to have as many all-rounders as possible because you can play according to the conditions and it is always nice to have different varieties.

"You'll never feel like you're short of options especially in any conditions since we play a lot of cricket around the world and the conditions are quite different."

The second ODI is scheduled on Thursday in Cardiff. 

With the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup happening next year, previous edition's finalists India would look at the England tour as a crucial step for their preparation process.