Washington Sundar: Extraordinary circumstances, extraordinary performance
How often does a player not even named in the Test squad manages to feature in a series-decider at a venue where the opposition has not lost a Test match for the last 33 years? Well, those were the extraordinary circumstances in which Washington Sundar made his Test debut. Now getting such opportunities is beyond anyone’s control but performing so good that you continue to hold on to your spot is a special achievement. And this 21-year old from Tamil Nadu has achieved that in style.
Sundar has played in only four Test matches for India but he has already left a deeper imprint on the cricketing fraternity than he did in the previous one ODI and 26 T20Is that he played for India. This includes his Man of the Series performance in the Nidahas Trophy. And of those four Tests, he featured in one where he faced 12 balls to score no run and bowled a grand total of four deliveries.
Fairytale beginning
How about dismissing one of the world’s best batsmen in your era to begin your Test career? Sundar turned it into a reality on the very first day of his Test career. The off-spinner dismissed Steve Smith for 36 and went on to take two more wickets in his 31 overs. However, he gave an even more valuable contribution with the bat. With India 186/6, chasing Australia’s 369, Sundar added 123 runs with Shardul Thakur. The stand brought India back in the game and helped them clinch the historic victory.
Performing at home
Bowling on his home turf did not prove fruitful for the 21-year old but Sundar ensured that his batting prowess in Brisbane was not a one-time affair. Facing England’s massive first innings total of 578, India had faltered to 192/5 when the left-hander strode out to bat in Chennai. He stitched crucial partnerships with Rishabh Pant (33 runs), R Ashwin (80 runs) and the tail (32 runs) to help India’s cause. Washington was left stranded on 85 not out as he ran out of partners.
The same fate awaited him in the fourth and final Test albeit in a strange manner. Continuing his fire-fighting duties, Sundar walked out with India 146/6 in reply to England’s 205. Taking control of the situation, Pant and Sundar launched a counter-attack that baffled the English and the Indian cricket fans alike. After Pant’s dismissal, Sundar continued the onslaught with Axar Patel as his partner-in-crime. Just when he was nearing his maiden Test ton, England scooped the last three wickets in just five balls to leave the batsman stranded on 96 not out.
When asked if was he was disappointed at the misery, Sundar’s answer was delightful. “No, no. Not at all disappointed. When it’s the right time for me to get a hundred, it’ll come, I feel, and yes, definitely very, very happy to have contributed, especially in those couple of innings, and you know, anyway I could contribute to the team, and if the team could succeed out of that, I’m the happiest person.”
With his solid batting performances, Sundar has already presented his case as a batting all-rounder. He has already faced a few of the best Test bowlers available in the world and has fought fire with fire. These substantial knocks will help the youngster’s confidence. If he continues to churn out such performances, extraordinary circumstances will be needed to keep Sundar out of the Indian Test team.
