Washington has filled R Ashwin's shoes well, says McDonald

Hit by a barrage of injuries through the series, India picked debutants Washington (3-89) and medium pacer T Natarajan (3-78) in the playing XI. The duo was travelling with the squad as net bowlers.

Australia's assistant coach Andrew McDonald on Saturday praised the highly inexperienced Indian bowling attack for the final Test and singled out Washington Sundar, saying the young off-spinner filled the shoes of Ravichandran Ashwin "quite well".

Hit by a barrage of injuries through the series, India picked debutants Washington (3-89) and medium pacer T Natarajan (3-78) in the playing XI. The duo was travelling with the squad as net bowlers.

"I thought they [Indian bowlers] were very consistent. They applied pressure throughout and made it difficult for us. When we felt we would get on the top, they were able to bounce back and get key wickets. It was a great arm-wrestle, so full credit to their attack," said McDonald at the virtual post-day press conference.

"Washington Sundar, in particular, was disciplined and filled that role of R Ashwin quite well and kept it tight and was able to take some key wickets on the way. So, for me, he's a bowler who controlled the tempo of the game well and that stood out for me," he added.

McDonald, was also impressed by Natarajan. "Natarajan shaped the ball early, there is lot [to like] about him. No doubt he is inexperienced but has played enough first-class games to be playing his first Test on this tour," he added. Australia were bowled out for 369 in the first session of the rain-curtailed second day. 

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