New Delhi: Team India’s multi-skilled all-rounder Washington Sundar added another feather to his cap after being named the ‘Impact Player of the Series’ during India’s 2–1 T20I triumph over Australia. The 26-year-old received the special medal from team operations manager Rahil Khaja, who presented it to him in the team dressing room amid loud cheers, as revealed in a behind-the-scenes video shared by the BCCI on Sunday.
“Playing in Australia is always a huge opportunity. I’m really happy to have contributed to our victory here,” Sundar said with a broad smile, holding the medal that marks his rising influence in India’s T20 setup.
Throughout the series, Sundar showcased his versatility and adaptability two traits that have cemented his place as one of India’s most dependable all-rounders. In the third T20I at Hobart, though he was not called upon to bowl, Sundar made a game-changing impact with the bat. Promoted up the order, he struck a blistering 49 off just 23 balls, smashing four sixes and three boundaries to guide India to a five-wicket win that levelled the series 1–1.
In the fourth match, Sundar’s bowling prowess came to the fore. Introduced late into the attack, he turned the game on its head by grabbing three wickets in five deliveries, triggering a dramatic Australian collapse. His spell helped India clinch a commanding 48-run victory, which ultimately sealed the series after the fifth game was washed out at the Gabba.
Accepting the medal, Sundar praised Khaja for his behind-the-scenes dedication. “It’s a wonderful feeling to receive this from him. We all know how much effort he puts in every day to make our work easier,” he said.
An emotional Rahil Khaja expressed equal pride, saying, “This is the first time in my life I’ve done something like this it’s surreal. We’ve really achieved this together.”
Sundar’s impact in limited-overs cricket continues to strengthen his reputation as one of India’s most reliable utility players. In 57 T20Is, he maintains a bowling average just above 22 and an economy rate under 7, coupled with a batting strike rate over 134 remarkable figures for an all-rounder.
His contributions aren’t limited to white-ball cricket. In Tests, he has taken 35 wickets in 15 matches and scored a century and five fifties, averaging nearly 45 a rare feat for an all-rounder in modern cricket.
The ‘Impact Player of the Series’ award is a relatively new honour introduced by the BCCI to recognize players who decisively influence the outcome of a series through game-changing performances.
Previously, during India’s October ODI series against Australia, captain Rohit Sharma bagged the same recognition after scoring 202 runs in three matches, including a match-winning century in the final ODI.
With this latest accolade, Washington Sundar joins an elite list of players redefining India’s cricketing balance proving once again that impact in modern cricket is measured not by volume, but by the moments that change matches.