Washington Sundar is a diligent learner. Not the one to categorical his feelings, he’s all the time amongst the first to hit the nets. Once accomplished with the session, he makes it some extent to stand in a single nook for a couple of moments and analyse his sport. That has been the norm ever since touchdown in England.
He knew he would have to look ahead to his likelihood, and ultimately when it got here in the second Test at Edgbaston, Washington didn’t disappoint. Coming in at No. 8, he contributed with essential 54 runs — 42 in the first innings and 12 in the second — as well as to the important wicket of England skipper Ben Stokes as India registered a historic win. There have been questions over him being chosen over Kuldeep Yadav, however the group administration needed to play a spinner, who might add depth to batting. That function fitted Washington completely.
Though he claimed 4 wickets in the second innings at Lord’s, questions resurfaced as he departed for a duck on the closing morning with India chasing a goal of 193. But Washington got here to Old Trafford with a perception, and ultimately went on to rating his maiden Test century and assist India save the Test, with an unbroken 203-run partnership with Ravindra Jadeja for the fifth wicket.
Having been out and in of the squad, since his debut in 2021, his batting place has been nothing lower than a musical chair. Washington has batted 11 occasions at No. 8, adopted by 6 at No. 7, thrice at No. 9, and as soon as at No. 6.
But he has been unperturbed. On debut in Brisbane, the Tamil Nadu left-hander proved his mettle with a gritty 62 off 144 balls, laying the basis for the group’s well-known win. And in his fourth Test, he scored a significant 96 not out towards England in Ahmedabad.
But an opportunity to bat up the order got here solely at Old Trafford. An damage to Rishabh Pant meant a No.5 slot opened up for the 25-year-old, and he made the most of the opportunity. With Pant dominated out for the closing Test, former India opener and Tamil Nadu stalwart W.V. Raman instructed on X that Washington ought to bat up the order.
India head coach Gautam Gambhir additionally admitted that Washington will solely enhance. “Washington was in really good form. It’s just that sometimes when you’re playing seven or eight batters, it’s difficult to accommodate someone. And we always knew that with Rishabh not being there at No.5, it was our opportunity to put Washi at five, and try to give him that opportunity,” Gambhir stated.
In occasions like these the place batting has change into extra aggressive, Washington stays a believer of biding time at the crease. That strategy labored on Sunday as he dealt with Stokes’ short-ball ploy with precision, earlier than going for a couple of large hits. He was by no means in a rush to attain the milestone.
“We always knew the kind of form he was in, with the way he was batting at the nets and even in the last couple of Tests. So, there’s not an inch of surprise,” Gambhir stated, including: “What he’s done with the ball and the bat, the entire country should be proud of.”
Someone who loves assessing the scenario and seizing these moments, Washington could be happy with himself too.
