Reacting to Washington Sundar's inclusion in the Champions Trophy 2025 squad, Ex-India all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin said Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir really likes Sundar. "Gambhir rates him and definitely, Gautam has backed him. If Washington comes in 8, your balance changes immediately," Ashwin added. "I feel that Sundar will have a slightly higher role in the batting order," he stated.