Watch: Washington Sundar has had an up-and-down start to his Test career so far.
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That continued in India’s first innings of the fourth Test, with the all-rounder left stranded four runs short of his maiden Test century by some inept tailend batting.
The 21-year-old made his debut in India’s series-sealing win over Australia at the Gabba, scoring a half-century and taking four wickets, including those of Steve Smith and David Warner, in one of the most memorable recent overseas triumphs in recent Test history.
On return to India, he was left not out in sight of a maiden hundred, scoring 85 not out in the second innings of the first Test. However, with R Ashwin shouldering most of the off-spin bowling load, Sundar was left out for the next Test as Axar Patel made his debut. His recall for the day/night Test was uneventful, with England’s ineptitude leaving him to just four balls bowled.
In the fourth Test, Sundar played another vital hand, partnering Rishabh Pant in the stand which took India well into the lead. Sundar extended his innings well past fifty, with Axar providing solid support to carry India to 365-7. But with the No.8 four runs away from his milestone, disaster struck. Axar was run out trying to get Sundar back on strike from the last ball of the 114th over, leaving the near-centurion helpless as he watched Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Siraj both get out from the non-striker’s end.
Neither have much pretentious to batting greatness, but even then the manner of their dismissals will have frustrated Sundar. Ishant aimed an ambitious flick to the leg-side and was struck plumb in front, while Siraj backed away and aimed an expansive drive, only for Ben Stokes to take out the off-stump. Sundar could only look away in disappointment. India had slid from 365-7 to 365 all out.
