Washington gears up for Sri Lankan tri-series

Books and other stationery objects are replaced by cricketing paraphernalia as the Tamil Nadu lad is getting ready for a test he will have to take on a cricket ground in a foreign land as opposed to the four walls of a classroom in some nondescript school of his neighbourhood that his friends have to sit through. 

This is one test where every move of his will be evaluated by the selectors and every run scored or wicket taken or a catch held will enhance his profile in a country where cricket is confused with religion. 

However, it would be a mistake to presume that he is gripped by panic or that his stomach is invaded by a swarm of butterflies in view of the upcoming tri-series T20I tournament in Sri Lanka that also involves Bangladesh. 

“There can be no greater honour for a sportsman than to play for his country at the highest level. I have already got a chance to do that against Sri Lanka late last year. And I knew that I would figure in the selectors’ scheme of things sooner or later and so this latest call-up hasn’t come as a surprise,” said Washington, who holds the record of being the youngest to represent India in T20Is when he made his debut against Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium on Christmas’ eve. 

With India emphatically quelling the last pockets of resistance from an enfeebled South African side that was crippled by Indian wrist spinners and paralysed by injuries to its key players, the off-spinning all-rounder says the current Indian side has the makings of an all-time great team. 

“What this team has accomplished is indeed remarkable. 

To beat South Africa in its own backyard and with such a convincing margin suggests that we can challenge even the best teams in the world. We deserve to be ranked number one in all formats. I have only heard about how strong the West Indies’ team of the ’70s and ’80s was, and in order to be acknowledged as a truly great team we have to win abroad as well. This SA series has proved that we can do that,” added Washington. 

Washington wasn’t surprised to see a growing flavour of Tamil Nadu cricketers in the Indian teams of late. The squad announced for the SL tri-series has in its ranks Dinesh Karthik and Vijay Shankar — two pivots of the TN team. 

“I would attribute that to TN playing consistently and winning last year’s Vijay Hazare Trophy and Deodhar Trophy went a long way towards more number of players from Tamil Nadu getting picked,” said Washington. 

No sooner does the Sri Lankan test get over than Washington will be occupied by thoughts of doing well in another annual Indian ritual that the IPL has become. The keen student and a fast learner of the game that he is, Washington is confident he will emerge from this testing phase successfully to reach the upper echelons of the game.