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Washington Sundar is a diligent learner. Not the one to express his emotions, he is always among the first to hit the nets. Once done with the session, he makes it a point to stand in one corner for a few moments and analyse his game.
That has been the norm ever since he landed in England.
He knew he would have to wait for his chances, and when it came ahead of the second Test in Birmingham, Washington did not disappoint. Coming in at No.8, he contributed with crucial 54 runs in the Test — 42 in the first innings, followed by 12 in the second — as India went on to clinch a historic win. There were questions over him being selected over Kuldeep Yadav, but the team management was clear about its plan — to play a spinner who can add depth to the batting. That role was perfect for Washington.
Despite claiming four wickets at Lord’s, a duck in the second innings meant questions resurfaced again. But then, with the backing of the team management, Washington came to Old Trafford with a belief. Of course, he did not imagine that he would go on to score his maiden Test century and help India save the Test, stitching a 200-plus partnership with Ravindra Jadeja.
Having been in and out of the squad since his debut in 2021, his batting position has been nothing less than musical chairs. Washington has batted 11 times at No.8, six times at No.7, thrice at No.9, and once each at No.6 and No.5.
But the constant change hasn’t been a deterrent. On debut in Brisbane, he proved his mettle with that gritty 62 off 144 balls, laying the foundations of the team’s fearless win. The 96 not out in Ahmedabad too set the team towards an innings win.
But batting up the order came after four years. An injury to Rishabh Pant meant the No.5 slot opened up for the 25-year-old, and he made the most of the opportunity. With Pant ruled out for the final Test, former India cricketer and Tamil Nadu stalwart W.V. Raman suggested on X that Washington should be promoted up the order, and India head coach Gautam Gambhir, also admitted that he will only improve hereon.
“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 Washy at five, and try and give him that opportunity,” Gambhir said.
Watch | Gambhir: India not a team in transition; no amount of praise enough for Pant
In times like these, where batting has become more aggressive, Washington remains a believer in biding time at the crease. That approach worked for him on Sunday as he handled Ben Stokes’ short ball ploy with precision, before going for a few big hits. He was never in a tearing hurry to reach the elusive milestone.
“We always knew the kind of form he was in with the way he was batting the nets and even in the last couple of Tests. So, there’s not an inch of surprise. This is going to be just part of someone who’s going to achieve a lot of success in the future as well,” Gambhir said, adding: “What he’s done with the ball and the bat, the entire country should be proud of…”
As someone who loves assessing the situation and seizing those crunch moments, Washington would be proud of himself too.
