India is blessed to have Ravindra Jadeja. Now, on top of that, Washington Sundar has been dishing out exemplary performances, which have only thickened the Indian all-rounders’ aura. While Jadeja became the first-ever Indian to score 500+ runs in a Test series while batting at six or below, Washington thumped a blazing fifty to send England reeling. Potentially a match-winning knock as well.
Washington Sundar pushes England’s target to 374
The left-hander walked in during a tense phase but immediately shifted gears. Sundar came in when India lost Dhruv Jurel right after Tea break. India were at 326 at that point and England hoped to bundle out under 350.
But Sundar made sure India clock in 4 runs short of 400. His timing was exquisite, particularly in the 81st over against Josh Tongue, where he dispatched a juicy half-volley through mid-wicket for four and followed it with another whipped boundary that left Crawley flat-footed at deep mid-wicket. Earlier, Sundar drove Joe Root straight down the ground for a crisp boundary and unfurled his signature wristy flicks to toy with England’s tiring attack.
An underrated match-winner, Sundar
Sundar’s Test career, though short, has already been built on moments of impact in adversity. He was the unlikely hero at the Gabba in 2021, scoring 62 in a series-defining stand with Shardul Thakur that helped India script their first-ever win in Brisbane. Mind you, it was his maiden Test innings.
Later, his resistance alongside Ravindra Jadeja in Manchester salvaged a draw from a seemingly hopeless situation. Time and again, Sundar has thrived in pressure situations, showing composure beyond his years.
His latest knock was yet another reminder that India have a gem. After a brisk lower-order surge, Sundar not only scored quick runs but also undermined England’s resolve.
Washington Sundar Test stats
| Category | Overall |
|---|---|
| Span | 2021-2025 |
| Matches | 13 |
| Innings | 24 |
| Runs | 752 |
| Highest Score | 101* |
| Average | 47.00 |
| Balls Faced | 1604 |
| Centuries | 1 |
| Half-Centuries | 5 |
| Fours | 67 |
| Sixes | 17 |
