India, Dec. 5 -- This is a trying phase for Washington Sundar. On a dry, up and down Eden Gardens pitch, he was given only one over across two innings but had to bat out of his skin at No 3. He lost that spot at Guwahati while ending up bowling 48 overs in two innings. And now in the two ODIs so far, he has again been underbowled apart from being sent at the crucial middle order. The returns have been less than ordinary but blame for that can't be squarely put on him. India need all-format allrounders, and in Washington, they see skills waiting to be honed. But that intent is being scuppered by the lack of clarity from the decision makers.

Take Nitish Kumar Reddy's case. He played in both the Tests against West Indies because the thinkta...