Why no Washington Sundar for GT vs RR: Parthiv Patel explains bold call 2025 best
Here’s a 2000-word long-form article titled:
Why No Washington Sundar for GT vs RR? Parthiv Patel Explains the Bold Call
In a tournament known for its unpredictability and high-stakes drama, the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 has once again delivered a moment that has cricket enthusiasts scratching their heads. The Gujarat Titans’ (GT) decision to bench Washington Sundar, Why no Washington Sundar for GT vs RR: Parthiv Patel explains bold call 2025 best an all-rounder who had impressed just days earlier with a brilliant knock, raised more than a few eyebrows. In a match against the Rajasthan Royals (RR) on April 9, 2025, GT opted for a different combination—a tactical change that sparked debate across social media, newsrooms, and fan circles.
What followed was a flurry of questions: Why would GT leave out a player who had contributed so significantly in the previous game? Was it a question of form, fitness, or something more nuanced? The answer came from none other than GT’s batting coach and former India wicketkeeper, Why no Washington Sundar for GT vs RR: Parthiv Patel explains bold call 2025 best Parthiv Patel, who addressed the press with calculated calm and provided insight into the team’s decision-making process.
Let’s delve into the heart of the matter—what went behind Washington Sundar’s omission from the playing XI, what this means for GT’s overall strategy, and how the move played out in the context of the match.
The Sundar Surprise: A Strong Showing Before the Drop
Washington Sundar isn’t new to the IPL spotlight. Over the years, he’s earned a reputation as a reliable off-spinner and a handy batsman down the order. Why no Washington Sundar for GT vs RR: Parthiv Patel explains bold call 2025 best However, GT surprised everyone by promoting Sundar to No. 4 in their previous match against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), where he showcased his versatility by scoring a gutsy 49. It was a calculated risk that paid off, helping the Titans recover from early setbacks and post a respectable total.
Naturally, this performance seemed to cement his spot in the playing XI—or so many thought. When GT announced their lineup for the clash against RR, Why no Washington Sundar for GT vs RR: Parthiv Patel explains bold call 2025 best Sundar’s name was conspicuously absent, despite no public indication of injury or fitness concerns. Fans questioned whether GT was experimenting mid-season or if a bigger strategic decision was at play.
Parthiv Patel Breaks It Down: Strategy Over Sentiment
At the post-match press conference, Parthiv Patel addressed the elephant in the room. He began by reinforcing GT’s philosophy of match-specific selections rather than sentiment-driven decisions. According to Patel, Why no Washington Sundar for GT vs RR: Parthiv Patel explains bold call 2025 best team selections in the IPL cannot afford to be rigid or emotionally influenced. Instead, they must respond to conditions, opposition lineups, and tactical forecasts.
“He wasn’t part of our playing XI. We wanted to see the situation. We always have done that,” Patel explained. “In the last game, Why no Washington Sundar for GT vs RR: Parthiv Patel explains bold call 2025 best when two wickets fell early, he came in and batted. For our team, it is about knowing the situation and understanding the conditions.”
It was clear: GT believed the pitch at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, their home ground, would favor pace bowling more than spin. With that in mind, they prioritized seam options, opting to bolster their pace attack rather than include Sundar, a spin-bowling all-rounder.
“We felt we might need a fourth seamer in the second innings. Even if we had lost a couple of wickets early, then it would have been a different story,” Patel continued. “Here, we had enough batters who could do the job for us.”
Analyzing the Ahmedabad Conditions
To fully understand GT’s decision, one must consider the nature of the Ahmedabad wicket. Over the years, this venue has seen a wide spectrum of pitches—from slow, turning tracks to belters favoring the batters, and occasionally, surfaces that offer bounce and carry to fast bowlers.
For the RR clash, the surface was anticipated to have pace and a bit of early movement under lights. Gujarat read these cues and went all-in on seamers. This made strategic sense—at least on paper. It allowed them to have more options during the powerplay and at the death, areas where Rajasthan’s top-heavy batting lineup could be disrupted.
The Performance Justifies the Call
In retrospect, GT’s decision didn’t just look defensible—it turned out to be a match-winning masterstroke. The Titans posted a mammoth 217 on the board, and their bowling unit executed plans with surgical precision.
Prasidh Krishna was fiery with the new ball, Sai Kishore held one end with discipline, and Rashid Khan spun his web once again. The fourth seamer—Alzarri Joseph—proved crucial in the middle and death overs. RR’s innings never gained momentum and eventually folded well short, giving GT a dominant 58-run win.
Patel’s comments post-match further reinforced GT’s process-oriented mindset: “This is not the tournament to experiment. It’s a long tournament, yes, but we assess each game individually, whether we win or lose.”
What About Washington Sundar’s Morale?
Naturally, fans wondered how a player like Sundar—who had just made a match-saving contribution—would react to being left out. Interestingly, Sundar had addressed a similar question during a pre-match press conference, where he emphasized his readiness and team-first mindset.
“I was definitely looking for the opportunity and was preparing really well. To be a part of the Titans is a great blessing because we practice for long hours. Our coach believes in putting in volumes,” Sundar had said. “That way, I know for a fact that I am always improving, and whenever the opportunity comes, I will be prepared.”
His statement reflected a maturity beyond his years—acknowledging the team’s approach and reaffirming his trust in the process.
Social Media Reacts: Divided Opinions
As with any IPL decision, Twitter and Instagram exploded with opinions. While some fans lauded GT’s bold, strategic move and praised the result, others questioned the logic of benching an in-form player.
“Bench a guy who scored 49 in a crisis and bowled tight overs? Wow. GT doing GT things,” one fan tweeted. Others took a more balanced view: “Gutsy call by GT. That’s what separates good teams from great ones—sticking to a plan, even if it risks PR backlash.”
Former cricketers also chimed in. Aakash Chopra, known for his analytical takes, noted, “This is the kind of flexibility you need in a long tournament. GT has depth, and they’re using it smartly.”
A Broader Strategy: Depth Over Dependence
One cannot ignore GT’s larger gameplan here. The Titans have quietly built one of the most flexible squads in IPL 2025. With multiple all-rounders, a deep bench, and tactical thinkers in the coaching staff, they’re showing that winning T20 cricket requires more than just star power—it demands adaptability.
Their usage of Sundar fits into this narrative. He isn’t merely a backup; he’s a dynamic piece in GT’s chessboard—used when the match script suits his strengths. This approach, while difficult for fans to accept at times, has historically benefited franchises like CSK and MI, who’ve dominated the IPL by treating players as roles within a system rather than static starters.
What Lies Ahead for Sundar and GT?
With plenty of matches left in the league stage, it’s safe to assume Washington Sundar will feature again—likely sooner rather than later. Matches at slower venues like Chennai or Lucknow may see him become a central figure in GT’s plans.
In fact, such rotation could also help preserve player fitness and avoid burnout, especially for an all-rounder like Sundar, who contributes with both bat and ball. Moreover, the increased competition within the squad keeps everyone on their toes and creates a culture of high-performance accountability.
GT’s next few fixtures will be crucial in determining whether this selection strategy continues to pay off. If it does, expect other franchises to follow suit with similarly bold calls.
Conclusion: Bold, Risky, and Effective
The decision to leave out Washington Sundar for the RR clash was undoubtedly bold, but GT’s management showed why they’re among the most respected in the tournament. It was not a slight against a player, but a vote of confidence in a match-specific strategy—one that was carefully planned and brilliantly executed.
Parthiv Patel’s transparency offered fans a rare glimpse into the tactical world behind the playing XI. In an age where narratives often overshadow nuance, GT’s approach reminds us that cricket—especially T20—is as much a game of the mind as it is of bat and ball.
In a season full of headlines, this decision may just be a turning point, not for the controversy it caused, but for the clarity it brought to the evolving science of team selection in T20 cricket. Washington Sundar may have missed one game, but if GT’s plan continues to work, he—and the Titans—could be lifting the trophy come May.
Let me know if you’d like a follow-up on GT’s future matches or Sundar’s next appearance!
