Hampshire have secured the services of Indian all-rounder Washington Sundar for their final two County Championship games, in a move that follows a costly points deduction with a potentially alarming relegation threat.
Hampshire were docked eight points following the decision of a Cricket Discipline Panel related to their County Championship fixture in May against Sussex. They were referred to the CDP for preparing a sub-standard pitch and upon a hearing last week, the county has been slapped with a fine and a points deduction.
Following the developments, Hampshire find themselves near the relegation zone. With rain forcing a draw on September 11 in their reverse fixture against Sussex, Hampshire will have their backs against the wall in their remaining two fixtures against powerhouses Somerset and Surrey. Sussex coach Paul Farbrace noted that the aforementioned pitch was not deliberately poor but “horribly wrong” after being reused too soon.
They would now harbor hopes that Washington’s inclusion will help them stay afloat. The 25-year-old was a part of the Indian Test squad recently in England where he made 284 runs at an average of 47. India drew the series 2-2 and many believed that the visitors were the better team among the two and would’ve won the series if not for slip-ups at crucial stages during the five Tests.
A signing we are certain of 😏
Welcome, Washi 👋🇮🇳Indian all-rounder Washington Sundar will join the Rose and Crown for our final two @countychamp matches 😍
📰 Full story 👉 https://t.co/vJL4yvFDQG pic.twitter.com/7sUIUhNgqT
— Hampshire Hawks (@hantscricket) September 11, 2025
“We’re delighted to bring Washington to the club for the County Championship,” Giles White, Director of Cricket said. “He had an excellent series against England this summer and he’ll play a key role with two big games coming up against Somerset and Surrey.”
This is the second time Washington Sundar will play in the County Championship after his stint with Lancashire in 2022.
