Why Washington Sundar Did Not Bowl Despite Playing on Home Ground?

Gujarat Titans had Chennai Super Kings right on the backfoot during the 37th match of IPL 2026 played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk. At 37-4, it seemed like the home side, CSK, would be bundled out cheaply. However, the late resurgence led by the CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad helped them post a competitive total in the end.

While GT's bowling was up to the point in the first half of CSK's innings, they let the match slip away later. Skipper Shubman Gill took some questionable calls during the field and one of them was not to bowl the off-spinner Washington Sundar during the match.

Why Washington Sundar Did Not Bowl Today?

All-rounder Washington Sundar is a key part of Gujarat Titans and is expected to perform with both bat and ball. However, he didn't feature with the ball during the CSK vs GT IPL 2026 match, which raised several questions.

This is Sundar's home ground in domestic cricket and he knows the conditions better than anyone else featuring in this game, apart from his few other Tamil Nadu teammates like Shahrukh Khan and Sai Sudharsan.

Moreover, the pitch suited the spinners as there was plenty of turn available for Manav Suthar, who flighted the ball well. Sundar, a similar kind of a bowler with his off-spin, could have been useful on such a wicket, but he didn't even bowl a single over.

One of the main reasons behind Sundar not bowling could be CSK's skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, who carried the bat in this match. Being a right-hander and a good player of spin bowling, Gaikwad would have fancied facing Sundar on this wicket. Since he was set, GT captain Shubman Gill might have made a tactical decision by preferring not to risk bowling Sundar in front of a well-set Ruturaj Gaikwad, the player with the most runs in IPL for CSK amongst the active players.

Did Shubman Gill Make a Mistake By Not Bowling Washington Sundar?

Washington Sundar bowling IPL has is quite underrated and he hasn't bowl as much. It seemed like Shubman Gill had made a mistake by not giving Sundar even a single over in this match. Although Gaikwad was set, Sundar's ability to flight the ball could have been crucial on this wicket. While there was a risk with Gaikwad in front of him, it would have been an attacking option as well.

Gaikwad showed why he is one of the best batsmen in IPL despite being out of form as he held GT's innings together and made sure his team posted a fighting total. If the Titans would have got his wicket, the innings might have been folded earlier. The right hander went on to remain unbeaten on 74 off 60 balls, a knock that included 6 fours and 4 sixes.

CSK scored 158-7 in 20 overs on the back of a brilliant knock from their captain. Shivam Dube, Kartik Sharma, and Jamie Overton played brilliant cameos to give a perfect support to him. It is an important match for both teams as they aim to move up in the IPL points table. While CSK are coming off a thumping win, GT arrived here after facing a heavy defeat.