Smith's faith in young spinner pays off

India’s newest spinning sensation is a 17-year-old named Washington Sundar, an offie who spun Rising Pune Supergiant into the IPL final on Tuesday.

Sundar was Mumbai’s chief destroyer at Wankhede Stadium as he claimed the prize scalps of Rohit Sharma, Ambati Rayudu and Kieron Pollard in his 3-16 from four overs in Pune’s 20-run qualifying final win.

What makes Sundar’s performance even more impressive is firstly his age and secondly when he captured his victims.

When he made his debut last month, the off-spinner became the third-youngest player in the 10 seasons of the Indian Premier League behind Bangalore’s Sarfaraz Khan and Kolkata’s Pradeep Sangwan.

He was called up to fill the shoes of the absent Ravichandran Ashwin, the world’s best spinner who was ordered to rest by the Board of Control of Cricket in India after a gruelling home season of Test cricket. 

In the nine matches prior to Tuesday’s playoff game in Mumbai, Sundar had taken five wickets at 31.2 from 22 overs, supporting Pune’s ace leg-spinner Imran Tahir and Jaydev Unadkat, the tournament’s second-highest wicket-taker.

But in the pressure cooker of an IPL finals fixture, it was the rookie who stood up with a match-winning spell. 

Defending 162 against the Indians, Sundar was thrown the new ball by skipper Steve Smith and the youngster delivered with the key wickets of Rohit and Rayudu inside the six Powerplay overs, and followed it up with Pollard in his next over to crush Mumbai’s hopes of advancing directly to the final. 

"I love this challenge," Sundar said after the match in an interview conducted by his captain. 

"I love bowling in the first six overs only having two fielders outside the ring. 

"I’ve been believing in my strengths and bowling. 

"Hopefully I will be able to do the same thing in Hyderabad and we’ll be able to lift the trophy together."

It’s an incredible experience for Sundar, who has played alongside modern champions like Smith, MS Dhoni and Ben Stokes during his maiden year in the IPL. 

While the presence of his captain may have contributed heavily, Sundar was thankful for the chance and belief both Smith and Pune have given him in 2017.

"You have been really supportive so thanks a lot," Sundar said to his skipper. 

"You giving me an opportunity to play 10 games, for an off-spinner, I don’t think any other team are willing to do that but you’ve been willing to do that."

Smith, almost like a glowing father-figure, was full of praise for the adolescent spinner. 

"I’m really proud of you, really proud of the way you’ve played throughout this tournament," Smith said.

"Hopefully we can see one more big game in the final and lift that trophy."