How quickly fortune changes is evident in the dramatic manner in which Washington Sundar, originally selected only for the T20 series in Australia, was asked to stay back for the Tests, made his debut in the fourth Test in Brisbane after the mainline bowlers got injured, and became a toast of the nation with his gutsy performance in the win at the Gabba – and with it the series.
Injuries to India’s spin stalwarts Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja during the third Test meant that Sundar was thrust into the cauldron of the Gabba, having previously played just 12 first class matches, the last of which came in 2017 for Tamil Nadu in the Ranji Trophy.
Sundar’s primary role may have been that of a spinner and he fulfilled that by taking three wickets in each Australian innings. His scalps included Australia’s batting stalwarts Steve Smith in the first innings and David Warner in the second just as they were starting to look ominous.
However, the fact that Sundar was slotted in at No.7 meant that he was not only expected to face the formidable Australian bowling attack at some point but also to score runs off them. He ended up scoring 62 runs and his 123-run partnership for the seventh wicket with Shardul Thakur helped India come within 33 runs of Australia’s first innings score of 369 despite being 186/6 at one point. The innings included the debutant hitting a no-look six off Nathan Lyon, who was stuck on 397 wickets in what was his 100th Test match.
READ ALSO: Rishabh Pant: Lessons on terrace of Roorkie home came handy
Sundar may have been thrust into the limelight at the Gabba but instead of wilting, he seemed to thrive in it. The innings blindsided many of the commentators but, his father M Sundar, who knows his son’s ability all too well, was slightly disappointed that he did not get a century.
“I am disappointed he did not get a 100,” Sundar told IANS after the third day. “When Siraj came, he should have hit fours and sixes. He is capable of that. He should have gone for sixes. He could have gone for pulls and big hits. Perhaps, he thought of trying to come close to Australia’s total as the lead was very less.”
He added, “He is a natural opening batsman, and has scored a lot of runs against the new ball. In Chennai League, he is the youngest player to score a hundred in first division league. At the age of 14, he got a century while opening.”
As if to prove his father’s point, Washington then followed that up with a 29-ball 22 on the final day of the match and his 53-run stand with Rishabh Pant went a long way in India sealing the three-wicket win.
IANS
