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Washington Sundar. (TOI Photo)

Washington Sundar takes up yoga seriously during lockdown

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India all-rounder has resumed training in Chennai

CHENNAI: After two months of an enforced break from cricket owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, India off-spinning all-rounder Washington Sundar returned to training in the city on Saturday.

As the 20-year-old - who had been confined to gym training at home for much of the past two months - describes it, there was a feeling of satisfaction that came with picking up a bat and ball again.

"There was a feel-good factor to be able to pick up a bat and ball. Right now, it is about getting your body moving and getting your game in sync. I just want to enjoy cricket for the time being. As soon as I start training, to expect perfection is not reasonable. It is just about enjoying the game when you are returning after a gap of two months. It was very difficult to stay away from cricket for so long," Washington, who was accompanied by his father and sister - also a cricketer - to the nets at a local ground on Saturday, told TOI.

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Considering the hectic periods of travel that is part of an international cricketer's life, the prolonged time at home has come as a bonus for Washington. During this time, though, Washington has ensured that his fitness doesn't take a backseat. In addition to gym training, Washington has also taken to yoga and the benefits are already starting to show.

"I have been doing yoga since the lockdown started. I took it up mainly to get more flexible. It has helped me. It also helps in terms of mental aspects. It works like magic. I have been picking up meditation techniques from watching videos on Youtube. In terms of the yoga exercises, every cricketer would have done a bit of yoga at some stage. So I am just doing whatever I have learnt over the years. I have done yoga earlier too but never regularly. Now, I am doing it at least 3-4 times a week. I have had a serious ankle injury in the past. I have realised during this lockdown that doing yoga will help make sure that my muscles are more flexible and help me stay injury-free. I plan to continue doing yoga now," explained the left-hand batsman.

During the upcoming net sessions, Washington plans to spend extra time honing his batting skills. While he started his career as an opening batsman, it is his bowling that has enabled him to make a mark at the international level, which might simply be down to lack of opportunities with the bat. In the 23 T20Is that he has played, for instance, he has had an opportunity to bat on only seven occasions and these innings have all come lower down the order.

"I have always enjoyed batting. I have always enjoyed the feeling of bat on ball and hitting fours and sixes. Of course, there is a lot of time now. If I use this time well and keep batting for long hours, I feel I will improve and be ready to perform up to my potential when the time comes," he said.

Asked about the challenge of batting lower down the order when the opportunity to spend time at the crease is minimal, Washington chose to look at the positive side. "Coming in lower down the order is an exciting phase of the game. There is something always happening and you have to hit boundaries and play at a strike rate of 200 from the word go. As a batsman, I like to hit fours and sixes. It is just about fine-tuning a couple of areas which will help me work towards becoming better in the latter stages of an innings. It is about doing well once or twice and deriving confidence from that," he went on to add.