"Our best Jadeja replacement" - Fans react as Washington Sundar shines in India's Super Over win over Sri Lanka in 3rd T20I

India's Washington Sundar delivered an impressive all-round performance in the third and final T20I against Sri Lanka at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Pallekele on Tuesday, July 30. For this, fans on the internet showered praise on the youngster. The match went down to the Super Over, where India completed an easy win for a 3-0 whitewash over the hosts.

After being asked to bat first, India found themselves in a precarious position, having lost early wickets. Sundar walked out to bat at No. 8 and chipped in with a crucial cameo, scoring 25 runs off 18 deliveries.

The visitors registered 137/9 after 20 overs. Shubman Gill scored 39 runs, while Riyan Parag finished with an impactful 26-run knock. Maheesh Theekshana was the pick of the Sri Lankan bowlers, bagging a three-wicket haul.

Sundar also did a fine job with the ball for India. The crafty spinner bowled a tidy spell, recording impressive figures of 4-0-23-2. Sri Lanka were in the driver's seat after 16 overs, requiring 23 runs off 24 balls with eight wickets in hand.

However, it was all downhill for them from that point onwards. Sundar gave India hope with a fantastic 17th over, as he gave away just two runs and picked up the wickets of Wanindu Hasaranga and Charith Asalanka off successive deliveries.

The match was ultimately tied, with Sri Lanka finishing at 137/8 after 20 overs. Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav backed Sundar to bowl the crucial Super Over. The 24-year-old repaid the faith shown by the team management, claiming two wickets in three balls.

India chased down the three-run target in just one ball, with Suryakumar hitting a four off the first ball of the Super Over. Several fans took to social media to laud Sundar for his all-round heroics in the contest.

Here are some of the reactions:

Many Indian supporters suggested that Sundar has remained underrated despite his consistent performances in international cricket.

"You realise how underrated Washington Sundar is...he literally contributed 25 runs and 4 wickets but still no one talking about him." wrote a fan

"This guy doesn’t even get a continuous run in the IPL. He’s so underrated. Our best Jadeja replacement in T20s." remarked another

"Washington Sundar is not very far away from being a regular in the XI for India T20 side. A left-handed batter, right hand off spin is not very common these days. And the most important thing, he is performing regularly," chimed in yet another

Washington Sundar was adjudged the Player of the Match in the third T20I, while Suryakumar Yadav was named the Player of the Series.

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"Very grateful to Surya to throw the ball to me at that kind of a situation" - Washington Sundar on bowling the Super Over

Speaking at the post-match presentation, Washington Sundar expressed gratitude to Suryakumar Yadav for showing faith in him and giving him the Super Over.

He said he just looked to hit the right areas as there was assistance on offer for the spinners. Sundar said (via ESPNCricinfo):

"All the work that I did, a lot of blessings from God definitely helped me. I wanted to try and stay calm and focus on what I am supposed to do. Very grateful to Surya to throw the ball to me at that kind of a situation. Very grateful to get an opportunity in this game."

"Every game I get to play for my country, it's a blessing. I just need to do what I am supposed to do and keep working hard every single day. We did a bit of homework against their batsmen. There was little bit of purchase, I didn't have to do too much. I had to hit the right lengths very often," he added.

Washington Sundar is part of India's squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka. The first match will be played at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Friday, August 2.